Variability analysis of allogamous traits in rice

Abstract

The research project entitled "Variability analysis of allogamous traits In rice (Oryza saliva L.)" was carried out in the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur and the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur during the period 1998-99. The major objective of the study was to estimate the amount of variability for floral traits influencing out-crossing in high yielding, local and wild genotypes and CMS lines. It also evaluated the association of these floral traits to out-crossing and identified the genotypes with good morphological traits favouring out-crossing, which can be utilized for restructuring rice flower to suit hybrid seed production. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation in all the 18 characters studied viz, plant height, flag leaf angle, panicle exsertion at flowering and maturity, per cent out-crossing, anther length, filament length, pollen fertility, pollen viability, residual pollen, stigma length, stigma diameter, stigma hair length, angle between stigmatic lobes, stigma exsertion per cent, glume angle, duration of spikelet opening and flowering period in thirty three genotypes of rice. Highest genotypic coefficient and phcnotypic coefficients of variations were observed for STigma exsertion followed by per cent out-crossing and residual pollen. Correlation studies revealed significant positive correlation between out- crossing and the floral traits flag leaf angle and spikelet opening-closing duration. All the traits except residual pollen showed high heritability coupled with genetic gain. Statistical studies showed V20A and V20B, Jaya, Kanchana, Bharathi, Neeraja, Kairali, Nandyar, Chennellu, Oryza longistamina, Oryza oJjicinalis and Oryza spontanea with good floral traits favouring out-crossing.