Genetic analysis of Kernel Elongation in Rice

Abstract

Combining ability analysis revealed kernel elongation in rice to be governed by both non-additive and additive types of gene action, with the former component playing a predominant role. Among the varieties studied, ‘Bindli’ and ‘Type 3’, the parents with high kernel elongation, were found to be the best general combiners, and ‘Ratna’ and ‘IR 8’ the poorest. Grosses involving parents of high and low or high and medium like ‘Bindli x Ratna’ and ‘IR 8 x Type 9’ exhibited significant and positive sca effects. Keeping in view the non-additive and additive nature of gene action that seems to govern the kernel elongation, relative effectiveness of some of the breeding and selection methods that would enable simultaneous exploitation of the two divergent components of variance in a self-pollinated crop like rice has been discussed.