Trait Dynamics and Genetic Variability Studies in Rice under Contrasting Water Regime
Neha Chakrawarti *
Centre of Excellence for Rice value Addition, ISARC, Varanasi, India and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantangar, Uttarakhnad, India.
Indra Deo Pandey
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantangar, Uttarakhnad, India.
Sunil Kumar Verma
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhatishgarh, India.
Saurabh Badoni
Centre of Excellence for Rice value Addition, ISARC, Varanasi, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Rice is a major staple crop globally but is highly vulnerable to abiotic stresses, especially drought, which severely affects yield and food security. Drought disrupts plant growth and development, though adaptive traits vary among genotypes, making evaluation important for identifying resilient varieties.
Aim: The study aimed at accessing the effect of drought on yield and yield attributing traits as compared to the irrigated environment followed by identification of genotypes conferring high and stable agronomic performance under contrasting field moisture environment
Study Design: Augmented design
Methodology: Total 103 genotypes including three checks were grown in bot irrigated and drought field which was induced at reproductive stage. The data was taken for key agronomic traits along with grain yield. Comparative statistical including ANOVA, correlation, Genetic variability studies and Principal component analysis to unveil how the relative values for different agronomic traits varied in two contrasting environments.
Results: The ANOVA revealed significant variation in the panel the variation for which increased under drought stress. Harvest index, spikelet fertility and flag leaf width were identified as important traits contributing toward grain yield under drought. Superior genotypes in terms of better grain yield under drought environment were tall in stature with increased flag leaf width, more number of effective tillers, improved spikelet fertility and better harvest index
Conclusion: The traits identified as important contributor for grain yield under drought can be given preference while selected stable drought resilient genotypes.
Keywords: Rice, drought stress, genetic variability, yield traits & trait dynamics