Estimation of genetic parameters and character association for yield and quality traits in BC1F2 population of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Two BC1F2 populations derived from the cross CO 52 x 3-11-11-2 were evaluated in the present study for fifteen yields, yield contributing characters and quality characters to assess genetic variability, correlation coefficient and path coefficient analyses.  Single plant yield, number of productive tillers per plant and alkali spreading value all had higher estimates of PCV and GCV. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean was observed for traits viz., volume expansion ratio, single plant yield and plant height. In both the backcross population, a high positive correlation was observed between single plant yield and the traits such as the number of productive tillers and days to first flowering. In the case of direct effects, the number of productive tillers and kernel length after cooking played almost higher positive effects in the backcross population I, while in the population II, the number of productive tillers, kernel breadth before cooking, kernel length after cooking and breadthwise elongation ratio ensured the highest direct effect over the single plant yield. Thus, the number of productive tillers per plant can be considered as a key trait in the selection process and can be strategically used for yield improvement programmes. Keywords: Genetic parameters, correlation, path analysis, rice