G x E interaction in the Fg generation of wide crosses of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The present study 'G x E interaction in the F6 generation of wide crosses of rice (Oryza sativa L,)' was carried out under the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. The study was carried out for 20 characters in nine rice cultures at three locations viz., Mannuthy, Pattikkad and Adatt. The experiment estimated the variability, heritability, correlation, path coefficients and stability for the characters.High variability and heritability was noticed for most of the yield characters. The estimates of variability and heritability vaired widely between locations indicating the preponderance of the environment. Correlation and direct and indirect effects of the characters on yield also differed between the environments indicating the profound influence of location on the character. Stability analysis revealed that among the nine rice cultures studied-, culture C 26T(b) was found to be stable over locations for most of the yield traits. Culture C 26T(b) had maximum grain yield and was stable for most of the yield contributing characters like height of plant at harvest, number of productive tillers, number of spikelets per panicle, number of grains per panicle, number of days for physiological maturity, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. C 26T(b) showed superior and stable performance in the hill tracts of Pattikkad, Kole land of Adatt and at Mannuthy. Stability parameters indicated C 80 as the next stable culture. C 80 was stable for the characters total number of tillers, days to 50 per cent flowering, hulling percentage, milling percentage and amylose content.