Investigations on variability, heritability and genetic advance in short and medium slender grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes

Medium and short slender rice lines have lower yields compared to other grain type varieties owing to low genetic diversity and absence of improved cultivars. The present investigation aimed to evaluate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in short and medium slender rice grain genotypes to identify the traits for further yield improvement. A total of 56 rice genotypes, along with four checks were evaluated in Alpha Lattice Design at Agricultural Research Station, Kunaram, Telangana, during season Kharif, 2024. Analysis of variance revealed that wide range of variability was observed among 60 genotypes for all traits studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was slightly lower than phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) for days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle weight, 1000-grain weight, kernel length, kernel breadth, length to breadth ratio, head rice recovery, water uptake, volume expansion ratio, and amylose content (%), indicating low environmental influence. Whereas for the traits like, number of productive tillers, number of filled grains per panicle, and grain yield (kg/ha) demonstrating the high environmental influence. Moderate values of the genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) were recorded for days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, panicle weight, number of filled grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and volume expansion ratio, which indicated that the selection for these traits would be fruitful. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of the mean was observed for days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, panicle weight, number of filled grains per panicle,1000-grain weight, grain yield, water uptake and volume expansion ratio as depicted by box plots suggesting the variability among the trait’s. For the traits, number of productive tillers, panicle length, kernel length, kernel breadth, length to breadth ratio and amylose content (%), high heritability along with moderate genetic advance was reported. High heritability was noticed for head rice recovery; however, low genetic advance was recorded for this trait. These findings emphasize the potential of select traits for genetic enhancement of yield and quality in slender grain rice genotypes.