Genetic parameters, correlations and path analysis in upland rice genotypes

Trying to obtain information relevant to the genetic improvement of rice, the aim of research was to estimate genetic parameters and identify agronomic characters directly and indirectly correlated with the grain yield of ten cultivars of upland rice. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Aquidauna-MS, region of transition among the Savanna and Pantanal biomes. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications. Treatments consisted of ten genotypes (BRS Aimoré, BRS Coringa, BRS Pepita, BRS Bonança, BRS Talento, BRS Maravilha, BRS Primavera, BRS Caiapó, BRS Monarca and BRS Aroma). The following variables were measured: days to flowering and maturity, plant height, number of stems and panicles, thousand grains mass and grain yield. It was determined the following genetic parameters: environmental, phenotypic and genotypic variances; coefficients of experimental and genotypic variation; heritability; b quotient; environmental, phenotypic and genetic correlations. Phenotypic correlations among traits and grain yield (principal dependent variable) were unfolded in direct and indirect effects. The population under study proved to be promising for improvement based on the traits plant height, days to flowering, thousand grains mass and grain yield. Plant height, number of panicles and thousand grains mass directly influence the yield, being recommended for direct selection of superior genotypes.