Vol. 9, Special Issue 3, Part E (2025)

An experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2023, at BTC college of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. In this experiment, nineteen early duration rice genotypes comprising of four checks viz. CO 51, US 314, MTU 1010 and Sahbhagidhan were used. The research was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The major objective of research conducted was evaluation of genetic variability parameters among genotypes, estimation of correlation coefficient analysis for yield and among yield attributing characters, path coefficient analysis and estimation of genetic divergence among early duration rice genotypes. The analysis of variance reported the presence of ample amounts of variability among all genotypes for all traits studied. High to moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were observed for traits like yield per ha (q/ha) followed by, 1000 grain weight (g), number of tillers per hill and L/B ratio indicating the importance of selection for improving the grain yield. Further, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was also observed for 1000 grain weight (g), yield per ha (q/ha) and L/B ratio. These characters are assumed to be regulated by additive gene action and selection for these traits can be rewarding. Analysis of correlation coefficient indicated high positive and significant correlation of yield per ha (q/ha) with days to maturity, biological yield (q/ha), harvest index % and days to 50% flowering. Hence, these characters are helpful to determine the higher grain yield and can be used as selection criteria. Path analysis reveal that the traits like biological yield (q/ha), L/B ratio and grain width (mm) showed positive direct effect on yield per ha (q/ha). Thus, these characters can be used for improvement of grain yield in early duration rice genotypes. For genetic diversity analysis 19 rice genotypes were grouped in five clusters. Cluster I was the largest cluster. Cluster I had the longest intra cluster distance. Cluster II and V had maximum inter cluster distances, followed by cluster I and V. The maximum inter cluster distance revealed that using parents from these clusters in a hybridization programme will result in a higher frequency of better segregants or desired pairings, which is important for the generation of valuable varieties. The contribution of traits to divergence was greatest for yield per ha (q/ha), biological yield (q/ha), harvest index (%) and L/B ratio. Genotypes CRUBCKV-2235, HRI-214, UPLRH-181325 and JKRH-1601 were found to be the top four promising genotypes for yield and yield contributing traits. Hence, these genotypes can be utilized for further selection process.