Development of rice varieties for tidal swamp areas is emphasized on the improvement of rice yield potential in specific environment. However, grain yield is a complex trait and highly dependent on the other agronomic characters; while information related to the relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield in the breeding program particularly for tidal swamp areas is very limited. The objective of this study was to investigate relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield of rice as a basis for selection of high yielding rice varieties for tidal swamp areas. Agronomic characters and grain yield of nine advanced rice breeding lines and two rice varieties were evaluated in a series of experiments in tidal swamp areas, Karang Agung Ulu Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra, for four cropping seasons in dry season ( , and spikelet fertility (p = 0.215). Plant height had negative direct effect (p = -0.332) on grain yield, while maturity, number of spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight showed negligible effect on rice grain yield. Present study suggests that indirect selection of high yielding tidal swamp rice can be done by selecting breeding lines which have many produc tive tillers, dense filled grains, and high spikelet fertility.

Development of rice varieties for tidal swamp areas is emphasized on the improvement of rice yield potential in specific environment. However, grain yield is a complex trait and highly dependent on the other agronomic characters; while information related to the relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield in the breeding program particularly for tidal swamp areas is very limited. The objective of this study was to investigate relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield of rice as a basis for selection of high yielding rice varieties for tidal swamp areas. Agronomic characters and grain yield of nine advanced rice breeding lines and two rice varieties were evaluated in a series of experiments in tidal swamp areas, Karang Agung Ulu Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra, for four cropping seasons in dry season ( , and spikelet fertility (p = 0.215). Plant height had negative direct effect (p = -0.332) on grain yield, while maturity, number of spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight showed negligible effect on rice grain yield. Present study suggests that indirect selection of high yielding tidal swamp rice can be done by selecting breeding lines which have many produc tive tillers, dense filled grains, and high spikelet fertility.

<p>Phenotypic Performance of Yield and Yield Component of Rice Promising Lines at Tidal Swamp Area in Karang Agung, South Sumatra. An experiment was conducted in Karang Agung, in April until September 2007. The experiment aimed at evaluating phenotypic performance of yield and yield components of promising lines in tidal swamp rice field. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 16 treatments and four replications. The promising lines tested were B9858-KA-55, B9833C-KA-14, B9852E-KA-66, B5524G-SM-61-2-1, B7003D-MR-24-3-1, KAL9414F-MR-2-KN-0, KAL9418F-MR-2-KN-0, B10214FTB- 7-2-3, IR70213-9-CPA-12-UBN-2-1-3-1, IR70215-2- CPA-2-1-B-1-2. The check varieties used were IR42, Batanghari and Lembu Sawah. The results of this experiment showed that IR61242-3B-B-2 had better performance among varieties and promising lines tested, as well as giving the highest yield potential. Meanwhile, the line B10214F-TB-7-2- 3 had better performance of number of filled grain, and 1.000 grain weight. It also showed higher yield potential compared to IR42 and Batanghari. The line KAL9418F-MR-2-KN-0 had better performance of plant height, 1.000 weight grain and harvest age, but showed lower yield potential compared to those other check varieties.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p>Percobaan dilaksanakan di KP Karang Agung, Sumatera Selatan pada bulan April sampai September 2007. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mendapatkan informasi tentang penampilan fenotipik karakter hasil dan komponen hasil dari galur-galur harapan padi rawa di lahan pasang surut Karang Agung. Percobaan ditata dalam rancangan acak kelompok dengan 16 perlakuan dan empat ulangan. Galur-galur yang diuji di antaranya B9858-KA-55, B9833C-KA-14, B9852E-KA-66, B5524GSM- 61-2-1, B7003D-MR-24-3-1, KAL9414F-MR-2-KN-0, KAL9418F-MR-2-KN-0, B10214F-TB-7-2-3, IR70213-9- CPA-12-UBN-2-1-3-1, dan IR70215-2-CPA-2-1-B-1-2. Varietas pembanding digunakan IR42, Batanghari, dan Lembu Sawah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa galur IR61242- 3B-B-2 memiliki penampilan lebih baik dari varietas pembanding untuk karakter tinggi tanaman, jumlah gabah isi, bobot 1.000 butir gabah, dan potensi hasil. Galur B10214F-TB-7-2-3 memberikan penampilan lebih baik untuk karakter jumlah gabah isi, bobot 1.000 butir, dan potensi hasil lebih tinggi daripada pembanding IR42 dan Batanghari. Galur KAL9418F-MR- 2-KN-0 memiliki penampilan lebih baik untuk karakter bobot 1.000 butir, tinggi tanaman, dan umur panen, tetapi potensi hasilnya lebih rendah dari ketiga varietas pembanding.</p>