Diversity Analysis of Rice Genotypes Collected from Six Southern Districts of Bangladesh Based on Agro-Morphological Traits

Rice serves as a staple food for millions around the globe, and its productivity is heavily influenced by environmental factors, especially in the southern regions of Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the agro-morphological diversity of forty local and modern rice genotypes to identify promising cultivars for improved yield and adaptability. The experiment was conducted at the Regional Station of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gopalganj, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Significant variations were observed in key traits such as panicle length, filled and unfilled grains per panicle, grain length, grain breadth, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield per hill. Genotypes ASS22, ASS17, and ASS14 exhibited superior agronomic performance, demonstrating longer panicles, higher 1000-grain weight, and greater grain yield per hill. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis identified grain length, grain breadth, and 1000-grain weight as the major contributors to genetic variability. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three distinct clusters, with six top-performing genotypes (ACC4, ACC8, ACC24, ACC37, ACC6, and ACC16) exhibiting desirable traits for potential breeding programs. These findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity in rice improvement, particularly in southern environments. The identified high-performing genotypes would serve as valuable genetic resources for developing resilient and high-yielding rice genotypes based on their agro-morphological traits.