Correlation and Path Analysis in Inter varietal Crosses in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in rice (Oryza sativa L.), at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal during , kharif 2008 to genetically analyse the F₃ generations of five crosses viz., ADT 43 x Vellaichitraikar, ADT 43 x Arupathamkuruvai, ADT 43 x Varappukudaichan, ADT 43 x IPM Rascadam and ADT 43 x IR 66424. Mean, variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis were worked out for seven quantitative traits viz., plant height, panicles per plant, panicle weight, panicle length, grains per panicle, grain weight and grain yield. The F₃ generations of the five crosses were studied along with the check variety, ADT 43 the common female parent that is a popular ruling variety. Among the five crosses, ADT 43 x IPM Rascadam and ADT 43 x IR 66424 were found to be superior crosses to provide good source populations for exercising an effective selection for high yielding plants, as these crosses registered high mean and greater genetic variability for grain yield and three of its most important component traits viz., panicles per plant, panicle weight and grains per panicle. The possibility of isolating superior transgressive segregants in the populations of these two crosses was noted based on wider range along with high mean performance for grain yield and the above yield component traits.