PATH ANALYSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD IN RICE

Abstract

The present study was carried out to estimate the direct and indirect influence of yield related traits on single plant yield in rice. A total of 150 genotypes were evaluated for 19 traits including 14 yield and yield related traits and 5 grain quality traits. Path coefficient analysis revealed that biomass was an important component trait of grain yield because it had relatively large positive direct effect on grain yield, which was strengthened through positive indirect effect via harvest index, total number of tillers, kernel length and gel consistency. The trait harvest index was next to the biomass as it had next highest direct effect on grain yield followed by kernel length and total number of tillers. Therefore direct selection of biomass, harvest index and total number of tillers would be highly effective for improvement of grain yield.