Evaluation of Korea Rice Germplasm for Yield and Yield Components Adaptable to Nigeria Environmental Conditions

In this current century, West Africa will continue facing major problem of food shortage. This implies increase in the rice cultivation and productivity as rice is one of their major staple crops. This study was carried out at Africa Rice Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria, and evaluated 30 accessions (anther culture derived) from South Korea with 10 adapted genotypes form Nigeria for their performance. The experiment was conducted in dry season using Alpha lattice design with eight blocks each planted in five entries, replicated three times. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among the genotypes of the studied traits. Thus, suggest the presence of wide genetic variability, which is of important, as it gives large spectrum of selection to the breeders for hybridization. Based on their means, genotypes such as FARO 67, UPN 287, FARO 66, UPN 315 and UPIA1 showed maximum tillering ability per plant, while, UPN 349, UPN 335, UPN 271, UPN 324 and UPN 300 showed the highest number of spikelets per panicle. The genotypes such as UPIA 1, SAHEL 21, UPN 301, UPN 266 and FARO 57 proved to be better for 1000_grain weight, while UPIA 1, UPN 266, UPN 349, UPN 300 and FARO 67 were better for grain yield per plant. Cluster analysis grouped the 40 genotypes into five clusters. Dendogram showed maximum genetic distance between group A and group E indicating genetic diversity among these groups. Minimum genetic diversity was observed between group B and group E. FARO 67, UPN 287, UPN 349, UPIA 1, UPN 266 and UPN 300 shown to be the most promising genotypes that could be used for rice hybridization, genetic improvement and rice hybrid programme.