Multivariate Genetic Diversity, Morphological Characterization, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) improvement depends on the effective utilisation of diverse germplasm and the identification of key yield-contributing traits. The present study evaluated 25 genetically diverse rice germplasm accessions during Kharif 2025 using multivariate genetic diversity, DUS-based morphological characterisation, correlation, and path coefficient analyses. The experiment was conducted in a CRBD with three replications, and observations were recorded for 10 qualitative and 11 quantitative traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all quantitative traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Grain yield per plant exhibited a strong positive association with biological yield per plant (r = 0.99) at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis identified biological yield per plant (0.92) as the most influential trait, with the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. Mahalanobis D² analysis grouped the genotypes into six distinct clusters, with the maximum inter-cluster distance observed between Clusters II and VI (44.21), indicating their potential value in hybridisation programmes. DUS characterisation revealed considerable qualitative variation that facilitated varietal identification and germplasm differentiation. The findings identified promising and genetically diverse germplasm accessions that may provide useful parental material for yield improvement and the broadening of the genetic base of future rice-breeding populations.