Genetic Studies of Aromatic Rice Genotypes for Yield and Yield-Related Traits

Abstract

Rice is one of the world's most important cereal seeds and staple foods, providing a significant source of calories and nutrition for a large portion of global production. The current research aims to investigate correlation, heritability, and genetic studies for various rice genotypes for yield and its components. The experiment was laid out at the Students Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam during the Kharif season 2022-2023. Seven genotypes viz. Super Basmati, Kisan Basmati, Chenab Basmati, Noor Basmati, Basmati-200, IRRI-8, and Basmati-385 were used to evaluate potential varieties for yield-related traits.  The results showed that all the genotypes were highly significant at a probability level <0.01 for all the traits studied. The mean performance observed that the genotypes. Basmati-385 attained a shorter height (89.27 cm), number of tillers plant^-1 (11.26), and number of seeds panicle^-1 (80.733) Though, the cultivar. Basmati-2000 (31.867 cm) recorded the longest panicle in basmati rice, followed by IRRI-8, Super Basmati (27.600 & 27.00 cm). Similarly, high 1000-seed weight (g) was recorded in IRRI-8 (22.100 g) followed by Noor Basmati, Basmati-385, and Super Basmati (21.780, 20.560 & 20.357 g), respectively. Seed yield plant^-1 (g) was maximum observed in Kisan Basmati (16.037 g) followed by Chenab Basmati (15.287 g) and Basmati-385 (12.310 g). Correlation analysis depicted a positive and significant association of yield with panicle length (cm), number of seeds panicle^-1, and thousand-seed weight (g) (r= 0.677**, 0.427**, 0.535**), respectively. Heritability estimates observed high heritability (h²= 82.3 %) with genetic advance (6.06 GA).