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Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variation, heritability, and direct and indirect effects of various traits on grain yield in 64 rice genotypes under early transplanted conditions. Study Design: The study utilized a randomized block design with two replications. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station, Sakoli, District. Bhandara under Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India during the Kharif season of 2022. Methodology: The experimental material comprised 64 rice genotypes along with the regional check Sakoli-6. Observations were recorded on the following traits: days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of panicles per square meter (panicles/m²), and grain yield (kg/ha). Data were analyzed for genetic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and path analysis to determine the direct and indirect effects of these traits on grain yield in early transplanted condition. Results: High GCV and PCV were observed for grain yield, with moderate values for the number of panicles/m², indicating significant variability conducive to improvement. Grain yield, number of panicles/m², and plant height exhibited high heritability and genetic advance. Whereas, correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between the number of panicles/m² and grain yield, and significant negative correlations between days to 50% flowering and days to maturity with grain yield. Path analysis indicated that days to 50% flowering, followed by the number of panicles/m² and plant height, had the highest positive direct effects on grain yield. Conclusion: The study identified the number of panicles/m² as a critical trait for selecting superior genotypes. Based on these findings, the rice genotypes RP 6496-JB 202-4-6-1-1-1-1, OR 2800-4, and KNM 13557 were recommended for further breeding programs under early transplanted conditions.
Kalpande et al. (Sun,) studied this question.