Correlation path analysis and assessment of genetic diversity for yield attributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes

The magnitude of genetic divergence and character association was estimated in 208 core germplasm accessions (landraces) of rice (Oryza sativa). A total of 10 quantitative traits were measured at suitable stage. Rice germplasm accessions were grouped into 8 clusters. The paramount inter-cluster distance varied from 9.778 to 1.867. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster VIII and IV (9.778) suggesting maximum diversity among them. Cluster VIII (3.84gm) had highest mean value for 100 grain weight. Cluster II had highest mean value for panicle length (28.55 cm.), effective tillers/plant (8.65) and L/B ratio (3.79). Better genotypes could be selected for most of the characters on the basis of mean performance from different clusters. The cluster II showed highest grain yield/plant and effective tillers (9 tillers/plant). These clusters can be utilized in the hybridization programme for obtaining desirable transgressive segregents. Grain yield had positive and significant correlation (P<0.01) with days to 50% flowering (r=0.206), plant height (r=0.3998) and panicle length (r=0.2338).