Variabilityand character association analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Five rice varieties namely PKV HMT, SYE-2001, SYE 18-12-10, SYE35-4-16-63 and PKV Khamang were employed and experiment was carried out during Kharif season of 2009 to estimate phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV) for nine yield attributing characters. The number of filled spikelets showed highest positive direct effect on seed yield plant⁻¹ followed by hundred seed weight. However, harvest index and biological yield plant⁻¹ exerted direct negative effect on seed yield. Number of filled spikelets showed positive indirect effect on seed yield. Hundred seed weight showed negative and harvest index showed positive indirect effect on seed yield through number of tillers. It can be concluded that characters like number of filled spikelets, hundred seed weight, harvest index and biological yield can be considered for improving the seed yield plant⁻¹.