Heritability and Diversity Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Rice

Genetic diversity is prerequisite for any crop improvement program as it helps breeders in the development of superior recombinants. Th is study was conducted with the aim of evaluating genetic parameters and phenotypic divergence in a germplasm consisted of twenty rice varieties. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance found for total grains per panicle, fi lled grains per panicle, tiller number and grain yield make these traits suitable for selection. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that four components explained more than 90 percent of total variation. Cluster analysis of genotypes using Ward’s minimum method and Euclidian distance criterion classifi ed rice varieties in three diff erent groups. Observed diff erences among the three groups in mean values of agronomic traits suggest the need for conducting crosses between genotypes of clusters II and III and subsequent selection for grains per panicle, fi lled grains per panicle and panicles per plant in segregating generations in order to develop new high yielding rice lines.