Genetic Variability Studies in F2 and F3 Segregating Generations for Yield and its Components in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Rice is the most important cereal on the globe, being the main source of energy and income for the majority of the world’s human population. In this study six crosses of F1 generation were advanced to F2 and F3 segregating generations for variability, heritability and genetic advance of rice genotypes. Among the six crosses studied, IR 72 x Veeradangan and ADT 39 x Kavuni exhibited superior per se performance in both F2 and F3 generations for almost all the biometrical characters studied including yield. The F2 and F3 populations of the IR 72 x Veeradangan and ADT 39 x Kavuni showed moderate PCV, GCV coupled with high heritability estimates and high genetic advance as percentage of mean for number of productive tillers per plant, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield. Keywords: Genetic Advance, Genetic Variability, Heritability, Rice, Segregating Generations, Yield Components