Rice yields were affected by various heritable and non-heritable components, the present investigation was undertaken to study the variability, heritability, genetic advance, character associations, path coefficients, principal component analysis of yield component traits along with principal component analysis study in early duration varieties of rice for identification of effective selection criteria for grain yield improvement. A notable observation was made regarding the high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), accompanied by elevated heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for traits such as filled grains per panicle, total grains per panicle, test weight, and grain yield per plant. This suggests the viability of direct phenotypic selection for enhancing these characteristics. Principal component analysis revealed that four principal components with eigenvalues exceeding 1 accounted for 86.5% of the variability in PC1. Filled grains per panicle and total grains per panicle contributed significantly to this variability, with filled grains per panicle showing a positive direct effect and a noteworthy positive correlation with grain yield per plant. Consequently, filled grains per panicle is identified as a promising selection criterion for improving grain yield in the early stages of rice crop cultivation.

Rice, Correlation Analysis, Genetic Advance, Heritability, Path Analysis, Principal component analysis

Substantial Genetic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), heritability, and genetic advance as a percentage were observed for productive tillers per plant, filled grains per panicle, total grains per panicle, and grain yield per plant. This observation indicates the viability of employing direct phenotypic selection to enhance these traits. Notably, productive tillers per plant and filled grains per panicle demonstrated a positive direct effect, along with a significant and positive correlation with grain yield per plant. Consequently, these traits, particularly productive tillers per plant and filled grains per panicle, are identified as effective selection criteria for enhancing grain yield in the early stages of rice crop cultivation. Principal component analysis further underscores the significance of filled grains per panicle as the key selection trait.

P.V. Satyanarayana, K. Madhu Kumar, P. Uday Babu, T. Srinivas and Duppala Manojkumar (2023). Association Studies for Identifying the Selection Criteria Among Early varieties of Rice in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 329-335.