Correlation and path analysis of yield and yield attributes in local rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.)

An investigation was carried out in 100 local rice cultivars to understand the association among yield components and their direct and indirect influence on the grain yield. The correlation analysis indicated that grain yield was significantly associated with panicle length, test weight, number of tiller per plant, number of productive tiller per plant, number of spikelet per panicle, per cent spikelet fertility and amylase per cent. Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle number, number of productive tiller per plant, per cent spikelet fertility and amylase per cent had positive direct effect on grain yield. Hence, selection based on these traits could help to bring simultaneous improvement of yield and yield attributes.