Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part Z (2025)

Red rice landraces, known for their resilience and adaptability, offer valuable genetic resources for developing salt-tolerant rice varieties. In Kharif 2024, 52 red rice genotypes and standard checks (Pokkali, Karikagga and MO 4) were evaluated under natural saline condition at Barkur village, Udupi district, using a randomized complete block design with two replications. Significant variation was observed among genotypes for all traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Phenotypic variance exceeded genotypic variance for all traits, suggesting environmental influence on trait expression. Notably, grain yield per plot, number of filled grains per panicle and number of green leaves per plant showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance, implying the presence of additive gene effects and making them suitable for selection in breeding programs. Grain yield showed positive and significant correlations with traits like number of green leaves, panicle length, number of productive tillers, filled grains per panicle, flag leaf width and test weight. Path analysis further confirmed that number of green leaves, filled grains per panicle, flag leaf width and test weight had a strong direct effect on grain yield, identifying them as key contributors to performance under salinity stress. Overall, the study highlights the potential of red rice genotypes for improving yield under saline condition and their suitability for breeding salt-tolerant, high-yielding rice varieties adapted to coastal regions.