Genetic Variability and Path Analysis for Yield and Grain Yield Component Characters in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

The present investigation consists of 21 genotypes of Rice including one check, which were grown under the Field Experiment Centre of the Department of GPB, SHUATS, Prayagraj during Kharif 2021 following Randomized Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance among 21 genotypes showed significant difference for all the characters studied. Based on the mean performance, genotypes NUMALI followed by KALINGA and MTU-1155 were identified as suitable genotypes with highest grain yield per hill. High estimates of PCV, GCV, heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for grain yield per hill, biological yield and flag leaf length indicating that these characters could be used as selection for crop improvement. Biological yield and harvest index showed positive significant association and recorded high positive direct effect on grain yield per hill at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. These characters such as biological yield, and harvest index should be given prior consideration during selection for grain yield improvement in rice.