Rice straw, which is mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, can be used as potential source of bioethanol production. Rice straw is also used for mushroom production and as cattle feed. Rice genotypes having high biomass can suitably be used for these purposes. To identify potential rice varieties having high biomass, an experiment was designed taking twenty-one advanced breeding lines during Kharif-2020.Significant differences were observed for all the twelve characters studied. High estimates of PCV and GCV were recorded for Panicle exertion, number of filled grains, straw yield plant-1 and grain yield plant-1. The estimates of GCV and PCV values for panicle exertion, panicle number, secondary branches panicle-1, number of filled grains, panicle length, primary branches panicle-1, straw yield and grain yield showed greater difference. The estimates of PCV and GCV values for plant height, days to flowering and 100-grain weight showed lower difference. High heritability was observed for plant height, days to 50% flowering and 100-grain weight. High genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for panicle exertion. The estimates of phenotypic and genotypic correlations showed that primary branches panicle-1, secondary branches panicle-1, number of filled grains and test weight with grain yield at genotypic level were positive and highly significant. The results pertaining to genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that secondary branches panicle-1 registered the highest positive direct effect, followed by straw yield, 100-grain weight, panicle exertion, number of filled grains, panicle length and primary branches panicle-1. Hence, these characters can be taken as parameters while doing selection in segregating generations of crosses in order to develop high yielding and having high biomass genotypes.

Correlation coefficient, genetic advance, heritability, straw yield

Considerable high magnitude of variation was observed in terms of yield, plant height and other yield contributing traits, which revealed that the selected segregants had possessed high grain yield with semi-dwarf to medium stature, high tillering behaviour with resistance to lodging. These lines could be further evaluated for different biofuel characters.

Pragati Sahu, Abinash Mishra and Manasi Dash (2023). Genetic variability and Character Association for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Rice. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 347-351.