Trait association studies to determine selection indices in two F3 segregating populations of rice (Oryza sativa L.), under aerobic condition

Abstract

Correlation studies with F₃ segregating populations derived from MAS145 X MAS946-1 and IR64 × IM 192crosses of rice indicated that panicle length followed by harvest index, panicle weight, plant height at 30 days after transplanting and productive tillers per plant, showed significant positive association with yield per plant. Path analysis studies revealed that  harvest index, plant height at 30 days after transplanting, total number of tillers per plan, days to fifty percent flowering exerted maximum positive direct effect on pod yield per plant. Therefore during selection main attention  need to be given for traits like plant height at 30DAT, productive tillers/plant, panicle weight, panicle length and harvest index.  Based on these characters, top five superior families viz., A16-5, A24-16, A8-14, A3-5, A2-3 inMAS145 XMAS946-1cross and B21-15, B12-6, B1-3, B5-18, B18-14 in IR 64 × IM 192 cross are selected and advanced.  Hence combination of these traits could be used as selection indices and  prime importance has to be given for this selection index during selection in segregating population for development of superior high yielding varieties suitable for aerobic condition thereby we could achieve sustainable rice production.