Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Component Traits in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Selection for yield is often difficult in crop breeding because yield is a complex inherited character controlled polygenically, contributed by several component traits. In the present investigation genetic parameters, correlation and path coefficient analysis with direct and indirect effect for six quantitative traits were studied using sixty eight varieties and advanced lines of rice. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were higher for grain yield per plant (27.6% and 32.2%) followed by flag leaf area (24.3 and 27.1%), tiller number (20.9 and 28.2%) and plant height (22.1 and 22.6%). Grain yield per plant had a positive and significant correlation with tillers per plant, flag leaf area and panicle length. Path analysis indicated that panicle length exhibited highest positive direct effect (0.3265) on yield whereas, it was affected by negative indirect effects of plant height (−0.0368), tiller number (−0.0489) and primary branches (−0.0812) but genotypic correlation of panicle length and plant yield remained positive and significant (0.3156). As a result traits that had positive association with higher direct effect on yield can be used as selection criteria for developing new rice varieties with high productivity.