Correlation and path analysis of yield determinants and micronutrient content in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The study of relationship between different traits has great importance in the selection of a complex trait associated with a simple trait as it helps to determine the nature, direction (negative or positive) and magnitude of association between nutritive characters. Correlation and path coefficient analysis among fourteen rice genotypes was conducted and genotypes were evaluated for different traits during kharif season of 2014. Grain yield per plant manifested significantly positive correlation with number of productive tillers (0.54) and number of tillers (0.54). Highest positive direct effect on yield was shown by total number of tillers. Based on path analysis, total number of tillers had highest direct positive effect, selection based on total number of tillers for grain yield per plant would be the most effective strategy. Therefore, it could be concluded that these characters would be most suitable for indirect selection in rice improvement program that aims at increasing grain yield along with their iron and zinc content. No direct positive or negative effect of zinc and iron content in different parts of rice grain on grain yield was found.