Abstract

The present investigation consisted 18 photo-insensitive recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Basmati derivative developed through disruptive seasonal selection and two check varieties raised during Kharif 2010 to study the polygenic variations in yield and yield attributing characters and their cause and effect relationship. Seven RILs viz., Bidhan Moti 6, 10, 11, 15, 23 and 30 surpassed the check varieties that is, Satabdi (IET 4786) and Khitish (IET 4094) in respect of grain yield and some other yield related traits. The maximum range of variation in mean was observed for floret number/panicle followed by number of grains/panicle, plant height and fertility percentage. The highest estimate of phenotypic and genotypic variances was observed for floret number /panicle followed by number of grains/ panicle and plant height. High estimates of genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were obtained for grain yield/plant, number of grains/panicle, panicle weight and floret number/panicle. High heritability was observed for floret number/panicle, fertility percentage, kernel length, panicle weight, grain length, number of panicle/plant, kernel length (L)/breadth (B) (L/B) ratio, grain breadth and days to maturity. Grain yield showed positive significant correlation with number of panicles/ plant, number of grains/ panicle and fertility percentage. Path coefficient analysis revealed that seven characters viz. plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of panicles/plant, panicle length, number of grains/ panicle, grain length and kernel breadth had positive direct effect on grain yield while nine characters namely days to maturity, panicle weight, floret number/panicle, fertility percentage, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel L/B ratio and 1000 grain weight incurred negative direct effect on grain yield.

Key words: Basmati derivative, recombinant inbred line (RIL), kernel length (L)/breadth (B) (L/B) ratio, polygenic variability, direct effect.