Abstract:
Abstract: Weedy rice possesses a high diversity in yield
attributing characteristics and is an important resource for
rice improvement programmes. The present investigation
was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters and the
correlations of yield attributing characteristics of weedy rice
using 370 weedy rice accessions in Sri Lanka. Analysis of
variance revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among
the weedy rice accessions for all the characteristics studied,
implying the presence of a substantial amount of genetic
variability and scope for selection. Shattering percentage, total
number of spikelets per plant and the number of filled seeds per
panicle exhibited high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients
of variation. The degree of difference between phenotypic and
genotypic coefficients of variation was relatively low for all
the characteristics, except for the total number of spikelets
per panicle, indicating comparatively less environmental
influence. Very high heritability values coupled with very high
genetic advance were observed for the shattering percentage,
total number of spikelets per plant and the number of filled
seeds per panicle. High heritability values coupled with high
genetic advance were recorded for height at the booting stage,
number of panicles per plant and tiller number at the seedling
and booting stages suggesting the prevalence of additive gene
action in the expression of these characteristics and the possible
selection for effective improvement based on their phenotypic
performance. Correlation studies showed that simply selecting
comparatively taller plants with long seeds would identify
high yielding weedy rice plants, which may be used in rice
improvement programmes.
