VARIABILITY ANALYSIS IN F2 POPULATION OF RICE (Oryza sativa L.)

Most of the characters exhibited high heritability in almost all the six segregating populations. The traits viz., kernel length followed L/B ratio, days to maturity, days to flowering, plant height, panicle length, kernel breadth, no. grains per panicle, 100 grain weight and leaf area were observed high heritability suggested that these traits are governed by additive gene actions and simple selection would be effective for genetic improvement.The significant relative heterosis was recorded for the traits viz., panicle length, no. of grain per panicle, L/B ratio, grain yield per plant and harvest index, while significant heterobeltiosis exhibited by panicle length and no. of grain per panicle in cross VI (Jaya x Lalkada). Three characters viz., no. of grain per panicle, harvest index and leaf area had significantly negative inbreeding depression.