Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis of RIL's derived from inter sub-specific crosses for yield and its component traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Genetic diversity is a primary prerequisite for improvement in genetic makeup of plant through breeding. So an experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity among 60 RIL's of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.). Significant variations were revealed for all the characters under study. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were exhibited for character viz., grain yield plant⁻¹ (99.72,66.21), biological yield⁻¹(99.71, 67.73), flag leaf area (97.66, 76.54) and harvest index (95.67, 46.49). The character association study revealed significant positive association of grain yield per plant with Biological yield (r_p=0.68), harvest index (r_p=0.40), number of tillers plant⁻¹(r_p=0.38) and plant height (r_p=0.29) Hence by exercising selection for these characters, it may be possible to isolate superior, high yielding genotypes. Path coefficient analysis revealed high positive direct effect of biological yield (0.87), harvest index (0.73) and number of tillers plant⁻¹ (0.15). Comprehensive examination of result revealed that the recombinant inbred lines tested for high yield in rice viz., RIL-77, 08, 99, 75, 10 and 13 were identified as superior.