ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) FOR YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL TRAITS

ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY IN RICE FOR YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL TRAITS

Abstract

The present study was conducted using 144 rice genotypes including five checks (BPT
5204, BPT 2841, Chittimuthyalu, Kalanamak, DRR DHAN 45) evaluated for 12 traits at Agricultural
College Farm, Bapatla during kharif, 2024-25 using augmented block design. Analysis of variance
revealed significant differences among genotypes for 12 traits, indicating substantial genetic
variability with in the experimental material and hence can be exploited for future crop improvement
programme. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation was observed for protein
content (%), antioxidant activity (mgAAE/100g), Fe content (ppm), Zn content (ppm) and grain
yield per plant (g), while plant height (cm), number of tillers per plant, number of productive
tillers per hill and test weight (g) showed moderate GCV and PCV values. The PCV estimates
were higher than GCV for all the characters indicating that substantial variation for these characters
was contributed by environmental components. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance
as percent of mean was recorded for plant height (cm), number of tillers per plant, number of
productive tillers per hill, test weight (g), protein content (%), antioxidant activity (mgAAE/100g),
Fe content (ppm), Zn content (ppm) and grain yield per plant (g) indicating that these traits are
largely governed by additive gene action and hence direct selection of these traits for improvement
of dependent variable (yield) may be rewarding.