Influence of root characters on drought resistance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Thirteen genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) viz., Bandana, Browngora, Rasi, IET 826, Satabdi, Pusa 312, Panke, Aditya, IR 36, IR64, IR 50, IR 30and Dular were evaluated for root characters namely, maximum root length (cm), root volume (cc), fresh and dry root weight (g), dry shoot weight (g) and root shoot ratio. The study revealed greater relative variability for all the root characters under irrigated and water stress (rainfed) regimes. The genotypes, Dular, Aditya, IR 36 and Browngora were found to be superior to other genotypes with respect to ideal root architecture. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation indicating greater influence of the environment on these characters. High heritability accompanied by high genetic advance was observed for root dry weight followed by root volume and dry shoot weight indicating importance of additive gene effects, which may facilitate the adoption of simple breeding strategies to obtain desirable changes with respect to these characters.