Vol. 10, Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Anjali Singh and OP Verma

Abstract:
Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were studied in seventy three diverse rice genotypes including three checks at two different farm with different Sodicity levels i,e.pH-8.6 (Student instructional farm) and 9.5 (Main experiment station) during kharif 2019-20 following randomized complete block design. A collection of diverse genotypes were evaluated for certain physiological traits viz. days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), flag leaf area (cm), biological yield per plant(g), harvest index%, chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen, leaf temperature and grain yield per plant (g.). The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the genotypes for all the traits. The estimates of genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) indicated the presence of considerable amount variability for all the traits at both the Sodicity levels. In general the estimate of phenotypic coefficient of variability were higher than genotypic coefficient of variability. A perusal of coefficient of variability indicated that quit high for, Biological yield per plant, chlorophyll content and grain yield per plant while Moderate for plant height, harvest index and leaf nitrogen and lowest value noted for days to 50% flowering and leaf temperature at student instructional farm (pH-8.6) on other hand, PCV and GCV was quiet high for flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, biological yield per plant and grains yield per plant, moderate for plant height, harvest index and leaf nitrogen while lowest for days to 50% flowering and leaf temperature at main experiment station farm (E2). A high estimate of heritability was found for all parameter forE1 pH-8.6 while at E2 pH -9.6 high estimate heritability for all parameter except leaf nitrogen. The presence of high heritability coupled with high genetic advance in majority of the traits indicated the preponderance of additive gene action. So, these traits can be improved through direct selection. The moderate broad sense heritability with low genetic advance in percent of mean were observed for leaf temperature indicating presence of non-additive gene action suggesting heterosis breeding may be useful for rice improvement in sodic soil. The overall result indicates the presence of enough variability for development of improved rice varieties and these traits can be used for selection further the experiment should be repeated by integrating more number of important traits in representative sodic areas of the country.