Parent progeny regression analysis in segregating generations of drought QTLs pyramided rice lines (Oryza sativa L.)

The present study was undertaken to estimate the efectiveness of selection for the yield and yield contributing traits in the BC₂F₃ and BC₂F₄ generations of drought QTL introgressed progenies of Improved White Ponni (IWP) x Apo. A positively skewed and negatively skewed platykurtic curve was observed in many of the traits in both generations indicating the infuence of a large number of genes. Signifcant and positive intergenerational correlation and regression coefficient values were obtained for all the yield contributing characters indicating that selection can be done in these generations for isolating superior genotypes. Narrow sense heritability estimates obtained high values for the traits days to 50 per cent fowering, the number of productive tillers, flled grains per panicle and single plant yield indicating that selection will be efective for these traits in these early generations.