Correlation and Path Analysis of Association among Yield, Micronutrients, and Protein Content in Rice Accessions Grown Under Aerobic Condition from Karnataka, India

Genetic variability and correlation analysis are fundamental references for the innovative development of breeding programs to improve varieties and desirable traits. In the present study, the correlation and path analysis was conducted to understand the association among yield, micronutrients (iron and zinc), and protein content under aerobic conditions in local rice landraces from various agro ecological regions of Karnataka, India. The grain yield per plant showed a significant positive correlation with plant height, the tiller number, spikelet fertility, flag leaf length, and test weight. The zinc content was negatively correlated with grain yield per plant. The phenotypic path-coefficient analysis revealed that the total number of tillers, grain length, test weight, and harvest index exhibited a positive direct effect on grain yield per plant, while Grain protein content showed a low direct effect on this trait. This study also indicated that harvest index, flag leaf length, spikelet fertility, and test weight could be considered to make for a higher yield.