Statistical description, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance assessment for various agronomical traits in F2 population of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present study, F2 segregating population was developed from the crosses between the parental lines K343 and DHMAS rice during Kharif 2016 and evaluated for statistical description, genetic variability components i.e. GCV & PCV, heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance of various agronomical traits. The experiment was conducted using augmented design-I, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) indicating the existence of genetic variability amongst the population. The mean value and range in days to maturity, duration of grain filling and spikelet fertility % age was greater than that of other traits. The values recorded for genotypic variance was less than those of the phenotypic variance. In the present study spikelet density (7.24) and yield per plant (7.02) showed the highest GCV values whereas days to maturity showed the lowest GCV value (2.61). The low GCV and PCV values, indicates that trait expression was less influenced by the environment. Heritability was estimated from medium to high ranging from 56.00 to 97.00 percent for all the traits, except duration of grain filling which showed the heritability estimate of 25 per cent only. Heritability coupled with genetic advance was also recorded for all the given traits in the population. The estimation of these parameters helps the breeder in achieving the required crop improvement by selection.