Vol. 11, Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
Kanushree Nandedkar, AK Sarawgi, Mangla Parikh, Ritu R Saxena and K Pallavi

Abstract:
A clear understanding of genetic diversity is required for effective conservation and use of rice genetic resources. To estimate the diversity present in 46 rice germplasm accessions collected from NBPGR, New Delhi, the present investigation was performed and the genotypes were tested for 26 yield and quality traits in rice. Number of unfilled grains per panicle, gel consistency, grain yield per plant, alkali spreading value, number of filled grains per panicle, biological yield and 100 seed weight exhibited highest variation i.e., high values of PCV, GCV and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percent of mean which indicates the presence of additive gene action and such characters could be improved directly through selection. Characters viz., biological yield, milling percent, filled grains per panicle and panicle length exhibited positive correlation along with direct positive effects on grain yield explaining true relationship with grain yield and thus, direct selection through these attributes will improve grain yield, effectively. The crossing between the genotypes of cluster II, III, IV and VI exhibiting highest inter cluster distance from each other, with high degree of genetic diversity and high mean performance for different characters may be used in developing high yielding varieties.