Definition of selection criterion using correlation and path coefficient analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes

Abstract

Abstract Background and objective Investigation on genetic variability and correlation study between yield and its components of genotypes on rice may increase the opportunity to exploit its potential which will help meet the demand of high grain yield and nutrition supply. The current study aimed to determine correlation and path coefficients between twenty-two Egyptian and exotic rice genotypes to establish selection criteria which might help to develop genotypes for high yielding. Materials and methods Twenty-two Egyptian and exotic rice genotypes were evaluated through seven agronomic traits. Agronomic data were collected during the two successive rice growing seasons, 2017 and 2018. The matrix of phenotypic correlations was estimated and analyzed into direct and indirect effects through path coefficient analysis. Results Results showed that grain yield per plant had a high positive and significant correlation (p ≤ 0.01) with panicle number per plant, full grain number per panicle, and 1000 grain weight, 0.791**, 0.670**, and0.766**, respectively. As expected, there was a negative correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between days to heading and panicle number per plant (r = – 0.496*) and with1000 grain weight (r = – 0.433*). Path coefficient analysis showed that despite high positive and significant correlation (p ≤ 0.01) between grain yield per plant and many variables, a small number of these correlations was verified to have a relationship of cause and effect. Variables with positive and significant correlation and with a high direct effect on grain yield per plant were 1000 grain weight (0.5107 direct effects) followed by panicle number per plant (0.4003), and full grain number per panicle (0.3028). Conclusion The three traits (1000 grain weight, panicle number per plant, and full grain number per panicle) are the most important variables for use in grain yield per plant assessment programs as selection indices because they have positive and significant correlations and direct and/or indirect effect on the correlation value of the increased rice grain yield production. Hence, for increasing grain yield, the direct selection of genotypes based on positively correlated traits will be more fruitful while planning any rice breeding program to achieve higher grain yield in rice.