Analysis of variability, correlation and path coefficient studies for yield and quality traits in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Variability, correlation and path analysis for yield and quality traits were studied on 27 rice genotypes. The higher estimates of PCV and GCV were observed for yield per plant (42.04) and filled seeds per panicle (33.9) indicate possibility of genetic improvement through direct selection. High heritability in broad sense coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean exhibited by effective tillers, plant height, flag leaf length, filled grains per panicle, test weight, yield per plant, head rice recovery and length/breadth ratio indicating preponderance of additive gene action which provide good scope for further improvement by selection. Grain yield per plant had highest significant positive association with filled seeds per panicle, plant height, flag leaf length, effective tillers, flag leaf width and panicle length indicating importance of these characters for yield improvement, while head rice recovery was found to be significantly and positively correlated with milling percent and hulling percent. Path analysis reveals that test weight (3.48), effective tillers (1.57), and filled grains per panicle (1.41) had positive direct effect on grain yield per plant. Among the quality traits kernel length followed by milling percent and kernel elongation ratio had direct effect on head rice recovery.