Correlation and path analyses of yield and its component characters in scented rice

Correlation and path analyses were studied for grain yield, its components and quality characters in a set of 65 genotypes of scented rice. A very strong positive correlation of grain yield plant⁻¹ at genotypic, phenotypic and environmental levels was observed with harvest-index, while number of effective tillers plant⁻¹ and biological yield plant⁻¹ showed very strong positive association at both phenotypic and genotypic level. Harvest-index followed by number of effective tillers plant⁻¹, biological yield plant⁻¹, kernel length, L/B ratio, fertility percentage and 1000-grain weight emerged as the most important associate of grain yield in scented rice. Path analysis identified biological yield plant⁻¹ and harvest-index as major direct contributors and number of effective tillers plant⁻¹, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity as main indirect contributors