Variability and character association in recombinant lines (F6) of basmati derivative

Thirty four recombinant lines (F6) derived from IR 30 X Basmati 370 cross were evaluated along with Pusa Basmati 1 during wet season of 2007 at Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Sub-Centre Chakdah, Nadia, West Bengal for eighteen different morpho-physiological traits. High estimate of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed for panicle weight, grain yield plant−1, number of grains panicle−1 and number of panicles plant−1. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), which provides a more precise measure of variability, was very low for most of the characters. High heritability was observed for almost all characters. Plant height registered high heritability and high genetic advance while lowest heritability was observed in grain yield. Rest characters showed differential magnitude of genetic advance (GA). Florets number panicle−1 recorded the highest GA followed by plant height, grains panicle−1 and days to maturity. Grain yield was significantly correlated with plant height, grains plant1, length of milled rice and length of cooked rice in positive direction at genotypic level only. Panicle weight was positively associated with grain yield both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Kernel length imparted the highest direct effect on grain yield followed by 1000-grain weight, florets number panicle−1 and breadth of cooked rice.