Exploring the Dynamics of Genetic Parameters: Genetic Variability, Heritability and Character Association in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present study was conducted to quantify the genetic variability present in a population and to assess the association among the traits at the Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India. The experimental material comprised ninety rice germplasm evaluated in Kharif 2019 using augmented RCBD design with five blocks and five checks. Analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares (MSS) attributed to genotypes is significant (P <= 0.01) for all the characters examined. The germplasm lines were highly variable for traits like numbers of tillers per plant, numbers of productive tillers per plant and decorticated grain length and breadth ratio whereas the trait days to heading recorded low genetic variability and remaining traits manifested moderate genetic variability. In the present study, all traits exhibited high heritability. Genetic advance as percent mean (GAM) spanned around 19.32 percent (days to heading) to 49.78 percent (number of tillers per plant). Grain yield in rice had a positive, significant correlation with the number of tillers per plant (0.31**) and the number of productive tillers per plant (0.35**), while other characters had non-significant correlations. Meanwhile, plant height had a negative correlation with the number of tillers per plant and the number of productive tillers per plant. The germplasm population exhibited adequate variation for studied traits. These variants can be effectively utilized in future breeding programs based on need but breeders should emphasize on attributing traits while dealing with dependent trait.