The present investigation was carried out to study genetic variability in thirty seven basmati and aromatic rice genotypes for sixteen characters which include yield, quality and nutritional traits. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the studied characteristics. Grain yield per plant, alkali spreading value, number of tillers per plant, iron content, length/breath ratio, zinc content, plant height, 1000 grain weight, grain length, kernel length had moderate to high phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) estimates suggesting that these traits are under the influence of genetic control and less affected by the environment. In the present study, all the characters exhibited a high degree of heritability and high genetic advance indicating the presence of additive gene effect and hence selection based on phenotypic performance for these traits would be effective. Grain yield per plant, number of tillers per plant, iron content, zinc content, plant height, kernel length are important characters having high heritability, genetic advance as well as high coefficient of variation which should be considered while selecting for high yield. The results indicate the lesser influence of environment in expression of these traits and prevalence of additive gene action in their inheritance hence, amenable of simple selection.

Basmati rice, GCV, PCV, genetic advance, heritability, Aromatic rice

From the present study, it is evident that genotypes studied may provide good source of material for further breeding programme. Therefore, the information on the genetic parameters such as coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance can help the breeder to evolve suitable basmati quality and nutritional cultivars. On the basis of results summarized above, it is concluded that the great deal of variability for the important characters studied even in highly selected lines under the present investigation. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for the characters alkali spreading value, number of tillers per plant, length/ breath ratio, iron content, grain yield per plant, zinc content, plant height, kernel length, grain breath and grain length indicated their due importance as the indicator characters and selection for these traits may be effective.

Sudhakar Reddy Basu, D.C. Baskheti, Indra Deo, M.K. Nautiyal, Satvinder Singh and Nidhi Sharma (2022). Studies on Genetic Variability Parameters for Yield, Quality and nutritional Traits in Basmati and Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 379-384.