Correlation coefficient and path analysis of yield and yield attributing characters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under reproductive drought stress in the Terai region of Nepal

An experimental trial of nine rice genotypes was conducted in the Agronomy field Institute Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Paklihawa Campus under a randomized block design layout with three replications from July to November 2022. The aim study genetic variability analyze character association yield yield-attributing components their direct indirect effect on grain reproductive drought stress conditions. Observations days flowering (50%), plant height, panicle length, weight, number grains/panicles, effective panicle/m², yield, 1000 kernel weight were recorded. Grain showed highly positive significant correlation panicle/m² (0.713**), followed by height (0.347) length (0.289). path coefficient analysis different traits revealed highest per m² (0.748963), (0.24145) (0.227505). negative shown grains (-0.31218). results that selection trait-effective square meter would be most beneficial for improvement facilitating breeding programs.