Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis studies for yield traits in stable mutant lines of black aromatic rice of Manipur

The study involved assessment of genetic variability and trait association of seed yield and its component traits in 20 EMS-derived stable mutant lines of black aromatic rice. The traits grain yield / plant, harvest index, effective tillers and biological yield/ plant recorded maximum GCV and PCV. Heritability estimates ranged from 67 percent for total number of tillers/ plant to 99 percent for days to 50 percent flowering. The trait grain yield per plant revealed high heritability (>80%) coupled with high advance in genetics (>50%). The traits fertile spikelets per panicle, effective tillers/ plant, biological yield, panicle length, and plant height were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield. The path analysis revealed maximum positive direct effects of fertile spikelets per panicle, harvest index, biological yield, grain length and effective tillers on grain yield indicating the selection of these traits for efficient crop improvement.