Character Association and Path Analysis of Yield and Its Components in Direct Seeded Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Character association among grain yield and its component traits was studied through phenotypic correlation coefficients and path analysis. Grain yield exhibited positive and significant association with panicle length, grain weight and panicle bearing tillers plant⁻¹. Spikelets panicle⁻¹ showed highest direct positive effect on grain yield followed by panicle bearing tillers plant⁻¹• It is realized that direct selection for longer panicle, higher grain weight, more number of panicle bearing tillers plant⁻¹ and longer grain would bring about improvement in grain yield. Out of the traits under study, panicle bearing tillers plant⁻¹ contributed towards grain yield almost independently. Spikelets panicle⁻¹, although non significantly associated with grain yield but having highest direct positive effect through which many of the Important traits exhibited direct positive effect would also be useful for considering as an Indirect selection criteria. Secondary branches panicle⁻¹ was also observed to be very effective for selection particularly for the quality rices having relatively lower grain weight.