Received: 31st January, 2024; Accepted: 18th March, 2024

Abstract

In the current study, 49 rice genotypes were studied for thirteen yield and grain quality traits to estimate the variability parameters and character associations. Number of filled grains per panicle and grain yield/plant recorded high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation and most of the characters studied manifested high heritability estimates except for ear bearing tillers/plant and kernel breadth. Grain yield/plant exhibited high estimates for all genetic parameters indicating the predominance of additive gene action in the inheritance of this trait. The results of correlations revealed that, days to 50% flowering, plant height, ear bearing tillers/plant, number of primary branches/panicle, number of filled grains/panicle and test weight exhibited positive and significant correlation with grain yield. The outcome of path coefficient analysis concluded that days to 50% flowering, plant height, ear bearing tillers/plant, number of primary branches/panicle, number of filled grains/panicle and test weight manifested positive direct effects as well as significant positive association with grain yield, and hence direct selection of these traits would improve grain yield/plant.