An insight into variability and association among yield and its components under alkalinity and inland salinity stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract:

An experiment was conducted to study the variability, correlation, and direct and indirect effects of yield and its attributing traits in 36 genotypes and to identify suitable parents for breeding of alkalinity and inland salinity stress tolerant lines at ARS, Kampasagar, Nalgonda during rabi, 2021-22. Analysis of variance revealed a plenteous quantum of variation among the tested genotypes. Wide variation, high PCV, GCV, heritability, and genetic advance were observed for seedling mortality, sterility percentage, and number of filled grains per panicle. The number of productive tillers/hill and number of filled grains per panicle had a positive and significant correlation with yield whereas seedling mortality and sterility percentage had a negative and significant association with yield. Path analysis inferred that traits such as the number of productive tillers/hill, number of grains per panicle, and 1000 grain weight had a positive direct effect on yield. Hence, priority should be given to the above-mentioned traits to develop alkalinity and inland saline-tolerant rice cultivars. Lines CT118911, Sahel177, M202, and KPS10654 were found promising to be utilized as tolerant parents in the breeding programs.