Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

Abstract

Selection for yield is often difficult in crop breeding because yield is a complex inherited character controlled polygenically, contributed by several component traits. In the present investigation path coefficient analysis with direct and indirect effect for nine quantitative traits were studied using fifty genotypes. A critical analysis of the results by path analysis revealed that the traits viz., number of filled grains per panicle exerted the highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by 1000 grain weight, number of tillers per plant, number of productive tillers per plant, plant height and days to fifty per cent flowering were directly influencing the grain yield per plant. A critical analysis of correlation and direct and indirect effects indicated that emphasis should be directed towards selection of parents having higher number of productive tillers per plant coupled with higher number of filled grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, plant height, longer panicle length. As the yield component, filled grains per panicle is intern dependent on panicle length and plant height attention should be paid towards increasing the panicle length, maintaining optimum plant height. Thus, a plant with medium height, sturdy culm with increased panicle length, higher number of filled grains per panicle and productive tillers per plant would be more desirable for selection to realize higher yield.