Genetic variability and character association studies for quality attributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Twenty rice genotypes were evaluated for quality attributing traits in the agricultural farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, in terai region of West Bengal. The study was conducted in two different environments pre-kharif and kharif seasons during 2017-18. Statistical analysis was performed for the assessment of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV), broad sense heritability and genetic advance as percentage of the mean (GAM) for the quality attributing traits viz., kernel length, kernel breadth, l:b ratio of the kernel, kernel length after cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, amylose content, l:b ratio of the cooked kernel and linear elongation ratio. Analysis of variance, GCV and PCV revealed significant variation for different characters under study. Except for kernel length and kernel length after cooking all the characters under study showed high heritability coupled with high GAM. The genotypic correlation study revealed that the l:b ratio of the cooked kernel had a significant positive correlation with linear elongation ratio (LER), while kernel breadth after cooking had a significant negative correlation with LER. Path analysis study revealed that among all the characters, l:b ratio of cooked kernel showed a significant positive correlation with LER and kernel breadth after cooking showed a significant negative correlation with LER. Among the set of 20 genotypes, three were identified as medium slender, seven had medium grain, seven with short medium type and three had short slender grain. Three genotypes namely, Phougak, Phaourin Nakuppi and Chakhao Sempak were found with aroma.