Association analysis of F₂ population of MAS26/IR50 rice (Oryza sativa L.) cross for drought and yield related traits under aerobic condition

This study was performed to determine the association between drought and yield related was traits in F₂ population of MAS26/IR0. Results showed that harvest index (r = 0.70), biomass yield (r = 0.76), panicleweight (r = 0.51) and number of productive tillers plant⁻¹ (r = 0.59) positively correlated significantly with grain yield, while grain yield was negatively associated with leaf rolling (r=-0.36). Path coefficient analysis revealed that harvest index and biomass had direct effect on grain yield (0.554 and 0.535 respectively) and harvest index has shown highest indirect effect on yield (0.104) through biomass yield. The results obtained during present investigation revealed that harvest index, biomass yield, number of productive tillers plant⁻¹ and leaf rolling could be used as selection criteria for high grain yield and drought resistance in segregating populations of rice.