Assessment of Genetic Variability, Correlation Coefficient, Path Analysis and Diversity Using D2 Statistics and Molecular Markers in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

The present experiment was executed to gather information on genetic variability, phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients, path analysis and genetic divergence using D2 statistics and molecular markers among fifty genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) for fourteen quantitative and qualitative characters. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the characters under study. Number of grains per panicle showed the shighest estimates of GCV and PCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for numbers of grains per panicle, seed index, head rice recovery %, panicle weight, grain yield per plant, harvest index and plant height. Correlation coefficient analysis showed positive and significant correlation of grain yield with seed index, harvest index, hulling % and milling %. Path analysis revealed that productive tillers per plant exerted maximum direct effect on grain yield per plant. Based on D2 statistics and SSR marker analysis fifty genotypes were grouped in four clusters. SSR marker RM7075 (0.66) reported for having the highest PIC value.