<b>Evaluation Of Genetic Diversity And Correlation Investigations In Rice</b>

The field experiment conducted during Kharif 2021 at the Rice Experimental Farm of the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA) in Tandojam. The statistical analysis revealed that for most of the traits studied, including the maximum number of days to reach 1st heading, the genotype Shandar-200-2 recorded the highest value (106.25 days). Shandar-200-2 outperformed all the other tested genotypes by taking the most time to reach 75% heading (121.75 days). Genotype Shandar exhibited significantly longer times to reach 90% maturity (135.25 days) compared to the others. Shandar also excelled in the duration of the grain-filling period, with the maximum number of days (30.75). Among the tested genotypes, OD-10/B-1-3 reached the tallest plant height, measuring 129.55 cm. Additionally, the rice genotype OD-16/B-2-2 had the highest number of tillers per plant (16.95), and OD-10/B-1-3 produced the longest panicle (30.75 cm) and had a similar panicle weight (4.74 g) compared to the other genotypes. Moreover, OD-10/B-1-3 significantly outperformed other commercial lines by producing the greatest number of grains per panicle (69.50), while Shua-92-5 displayed the highest fertility rate (194.75 percent) among all the genotypes examined. NIA-19/A-200 stood out with the largest 1000 grain weight (33.37 g) compared to other commercial lines. Lastly, OD-16/B-2-2 achieved the highest grain yield per plot (16.44 kg). In terms of correlations, there was a positive and strong relationship between the number of days to reach 1st heading and the number of days to reach 75% heading (r=0.9316**), days to 90% maturity (r=0.8840**), and the number of grains per panicle (r=0.2323*). Days to 75% heading also showed significant and positive associations (r=0.9741**) with the number of days to 90% maturity, the number of tillers per plant, and the number of grains per panicle. Plant height (in cm) was positively correlated with panicle weight (r=0.4680**), the number of grains per panicle (r=0.5512**), and fertility (r=0.2677*). The number of tillers per plant exhibited a positive and significant correlation with grain production per plot (r=0.2401*). Panicle weight (r=0.4860**) displayed a positive and significant relationship with the number of grains per panicle. Furthermore, the number of grains per panicle had a strong and positive correlation with fertility (r=0.5781**), and grain yield per plot showed a positive and substantial connection with 1000 grain weight (r=0.5503**).