Character Association and Path-Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield-Related Traits in 112 Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Character association and path coefficients for sixteen different yield and yield-contributing traits were evaluated for 112 rice genotypes at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during Kharif-2019. The experiment was conducted in alpha lattice design and observations were recorded in five randomly selected plants for sixteen traits. The data were analyzed in WINDOSTAT 9.3 ver. for correlation and path analysis. The correlation analysis showed very strong correlation of grain yield per plot with biomass yield per plot. Days to first flowering showed very strong correlation with days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. Days to 50% flowering showed very strong correlation with days to maturity. Spikelets per panicle showed very strong correlation with grains per panicle and grain weight per panicle. Number of grains per panicle showed very strong correlation with grain weight per panicle. Path-coefficient analysis showed that biomass yield per plot, grain yield per plant, grain weight per panicle, grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, harvest index, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and panicle length had a high and positive direct effect on grain yield per plot. Correlation and path coefficient analysis envisaged characteristics such as biomass yield per plot, grain weight per panicle, grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, first flowering, 50 percent flowering and days to maturity showed positive direct effect and very strong correlation with grain yield per plot, indicating the effectiveness of these traits in selection. Path analysis revealed that traits like biomass yield per plot, harvest index, grain yield per panicle exerted highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plot. Thus, these characters which contribute to the grain yield could be exploited for future breeding programmes.