Traits association and path coefficient analysis of yield and yield attributing traits of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes at pawe, northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Besides the existence of genetic variation, the relationship between traits determines whether plant breeding is successful. As a result, identifying the influence of yield-related traits on yield is critical. Hence, in 2020/21 cropping season, this study was carried out using 70 upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes at Pawe, to determine the magnitude of association and the direct and indirect influence of yield component traits on grain yield of rice. Traits such as biomass, days to heading, and days to maturity, productive tiller, panicle length, and field grain per panicle have shown medium to high positive association (0.35-0.85) with grain yield. On the Path analysis except days to heading all traits mentioned above had a positive direct influence on grain yield ranging from 0.05 to 0.62. Traits like days to heading, days to maturity, productive tillers, and grain width had moderate positive indirect effects on grain yield. Therefore, in the process of selecting rice genotypes for further breeding programs of yield improvement characters like biomass yield that had the highest positive association and high direct influence could be primarily used as selection criteria since improvement of these traits leads to grain yield increment.