Estimation of selection response, narrow sense heritability and genetic advance of grain quality characters of F₂ and F₃ generation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present investigation was carried out in F₂ and F₃ generation of rice for estimating the selection response, heritability and genetic advance for grain quality characters. 437 segregants were evaluated in F ₂ generation for grain quality characters and forwarded to F₃ generation. Based on the phenotypic selection for grain type, 50 single plants were selected in F₃ generation for further analysis. The positive significant regression and correlation coefficients estimation observed in F₂ and F₃ generation for kernel length before and after cooking indicated that segregants showed better grain quality and which leads to effective selection. It was found that the mean values of kernel breadth, kernel breadth before cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, and linear elongation ratio in F₃ generation were higher than F₂ generation. Positive value of selection response was calculated for the parameters viz., kernel breadth, kernel breadth before cooking, and kernel breadth after cooking and linear elongation ratio. In F ₃ generation highest GA% was calculated for LB ratio, while lowest GA% was calculated for breadth wise expansion ratio which will aid in further selection based on these traits.