Revealing genetic variability and character association for yield and yield- attributing traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under water-limited condition

The present study aims to evaluate the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient for various quantitative traits in fifty rice genotypes comprising of landraces and varieties under water limited conditions. Drought being a major abiotic stress causes severe reduction in grain yield especially during reproductive stages. The results revealed the presence of high genetic variability and significance for all the traits studied. The traits like single plant yield, number of filled spikelets per panicle, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf length, leaf rolling and leaf drying showed high variability compared to all other traits. The traits viz., spikelet fertility, number of productive tillers per plant, number of total tillers per plant, plant height, flag leaf breadth, panicle length, number of filled spikelets per panicle and relative water content exhibited a significant and positive correlation and direct effect on single plant yield, suggesting the potential importance of these traits in the improvement and selection of stable and high-yielding rice genotypes.