Vol. 8, Issue 7 (2019)

Author(s):
M Aarthi, S Vennila and K Palaniraja

Abstract:
The present investigation on genetic diversity was carried out with 25 rice genotypes including saline tolerant check variety, TRY 1 and TRY (R) 3 during navarai 2018. 25 rice genotypes were used to evaluate their response in saline condition for 12 biometrical traits viz., days to first flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle, 100 grain weight, grain length, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio and grain yield per plant. The characters namely, grain length and grain yield per plant were the two major contributors for genetic diversity. The traits viz., grain yield per plant and number of productive tillers per plant recorded high GCV and PCV. High heritability along with genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for all the traits viz., days to first flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle, 100 grain weight, grain length, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio and grain yield per plant indicate that these traits controlled by additive gene action. Since the genetic advance as per cent of mean is also high, the expected progress under selection could be obtained in the early generation itself. The correlation co-efficient revealed that number of productive tillers and number of grains per panicle had positive significant association with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. The cause and effect of relationship indicated high positive direct effect on grain yield per plant through number of productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle and grain breadth. Hence, the foresaid traits deserved greater importance in breeding programme to develop high yielding new plant type rice cultivars under saline condition.