Correlation and path analysis for grain yield and its component traits in rice

Correlation and path analysis were carried out using forty rice genotypes including three checks for grain yield and its components and analyzed during wet season 2009 to know the association among different traits and causes of association. In general, genotypic correlation was higher in magnitude than the phenotypic correlation coefficient indicating the genetic association among various traits. At phenotypic and genotypic level, grain yield has positive and significant correlation with grains panicle⁻¹, fertility per cent, 1000-grain weight and grain breadth. Improvement in grain yield plant⁻¹ can be obtained by improving above characters. Grain yield plant⁻¹ was negatively and significantly correlated with panicle length at genotypic level. Path analysis revealed the highest positive direct effect of grains panicle⁻¹ followed by tillers plant⁻¹, grain breadth, 1000grain weight and panicle length on yield plant⁻¹ at genotypic level.