Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Neha Chakrawarti, Rupam Borgohain, Thirangtha Brahma and Rajshree Verma

Abstract:
A field research was carried out taking 50 rice genotypes collected from different regions of Assam with respect to ratooning ability and perennation. Inter-relationship of some main crop traits to that of ratooning ability and perennation was studied. Path Coefficient analysis was carried out to dissect the direct and indirect effects of main crop traits to ratooning ability and ratoon yield of the genotypes. Ratooning ability was found to be significant and positively associated with four main crop traits namely, tiller wall thickness (0.74), greenness of leaves at maturity (0.64), tiller diameter (0.37) and tiller weight (0.34). It was negatively correlated with plant height and harvest index of the main crop. In ratoon crop all observed traits except ratoon plant height, number of lodging tillers and number of dwarf tiller exhibited significant positive correlation with ratoon yield per plant. Genotypic path coefficient analysis indicated that tiller wall thickness (0.59) and tiller weight (0.47) of the main crop had highest positive direct effect on ratooning ability among all the main crop traits suggesting that these traits were essential for better ratooning ability while plant height and harvest index had negative direct effects. In ratoon crop, number of productive ratoon tiller had highest positive direct effect (4.36) on ratoon yield suggesting that during the breeding programme for enhancing ratoon yield, more emphasis should be given on enhancing number of productive ratoon tillers.