A field experiment conducted during 1991 (wet season) with twelve early varieties of rice indicated that varieties such as Vikas, Rasi, Akashi, Telia Hamsa, Tulasi, Annada, Ravi and Abhaya possessing higher flag leaf area, showed higher yield. Flag leaf area was found to be positively correlated with several yield attributing parameters such as high density (HD) grains, spikelets and grains and panicle length. Hence, it is suggested that flag leaf area may be considered as a selection criterion for further exploitation of potential yields in rice.
