Assessment of genetic variability, character association and path analysis for yield and quality traits in zinc and iron rich landraces of rice

Rice is the staple food for billions of people globally and contains numerous essential nutrients. Among the nutrients, zinc and iron are vital for several growth metabolisms in plants and humans. Therefore, deficiency of these nutrients causes hidden hunger. However, understandingthe genetic variability of rice germplasm is required for improvement of grain yield, yield contributing and nutritional traits. The present study aimed to examine the variability, heritability, character association and path analysis in zinc and iron-rich rice landraces.

The present investigation was carried out with 37 genotypes of rice in a randomized block design with two replications during Kharif -2021 at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Maruteru.

The studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance as percent mean results revealed moderate GCV and PCV coupled with high heritability and genetic advance as percent mean recorded for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, zinc content, iron content and grain yield plant^-1 indicating scope for simultaneous improvement of these traits along with grain yield plant^-1. Character associations and path analysis revealed positive and significant association coupled with a high positive direct effect for grains panicle^-1, zinc content and productive tillers plant^-1, indicating the effectiveness of direct phenotypic selection for these traits in the improvement of grain yield plant^-1.