Cause and effect analysis for yield and grain quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Character association studies with six field biometrics and nine grain quality traits recorded from 60 rice genotypes revealed that single plant yield was significantly correlated with number of filled grains per panicle (r = 0.516), and positively correlated with days to 50% flowering (r = 0.144), plant height (r = 0.129) and panicle length (r = 0.134). Kernel length is positively correlated with gel consistency (r = 0.006). Amylose content has positive correlation with gelatinization temperature (r = 0.215) and gel consistency (r = 0.014). Head rice recovery manifested good relationship with kernel breadth (r = 0.074) and milling (r = 0.466). Path coefficient analysis manifested that the traits number of filled grains/panicle (0.912), number of panicles/plant (0.582), and 1000-grain weight (0.404) had high positive direct effects on grain yield per plant and also kernel length (0.690) and milling percentage (0.577) had high direct effect on head rice recovery. Hence, these traits were regarded as significant attributes in devising selection criteria for attaining yield objectives.

Keywords

• correlation
• path analysis
• quality
• rice
• yield