Genetic variability and association studies for yield and quality characters in BC₃F₂ generation of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The aim of the present study was to assess the degree of genetic variation, heritability, and character relationship among yield, yield attributing and grain quality parameters in BC₃F₂ of CO 52 x APD19002 population. In the current study, number of total tillers per plant, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf length, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield showed high PCV and GCV. It became evident that there exists a highly significant and positive association between single plant yield and number of productive tillers per plant followed by number of tillers, flag leaf length, plant height, spikelet fertility and test weight. The path coefficient analysis showed that number of productive tillers per plant had high positive direct effect on single plant yield followed by flag leaf length, kernel length, KBAC and LER. The results indicate the number of productive tillers per plant and flag leaf length were identified as the key contributing traits as they are highly heritable and simultaneous consideration of these traits is important for crop improvement. It implies that flag leaf provides more photosynthates to grains along with number of productive tillers per plant which in turn increases the grain yield.