Evaluation of doubled haploid rice population for root and shoot morphological traits under contrasting moisture regimes

Comparative study of different genotypes of rice under contrasting moisture regimes is an important means to understand the genetics of drought resistance. in this experiment a double haploid (DH) rice population was studied under well-watered and low moisture stress conditions in order to study genetic parameters like phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations, heritability and genetic advance. Correlation studies were carried out to understand the interrelation between the traits under each contrasting moisture regime. Effect of drought on the performances of DH lines was analyzed through the correlation studies made between same traits under contrasting moisture regimes. Significant variation was noticed among the DH lines for all the traits in both the conditions. High phenotypic coefficient of variation was found in all the traits studied except root thickness and plant height. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was found for most of the traits except root thickness under both the conditions. Root traits were found to be inter-correlated and plant height showed significant negative correlation with number of tillers. Performances of lines were deviated much for number of tillers in two conditions. Two markers (SBH 14 and RM 201), linked to maximum root length, were used to detect polymorphism among the DH lines. The banding patterns of many DH lines were found to be in accordance with their phenotypic performance.