Assessment of genetic variability for yield and attributed traits among rice doubled haploid (DH) lines in semi-arid zone Sudan

Anther culture is one of the biotechnology tools using for quick recovery of fixed breeding pure lines in rice. The development of new rice varieties is highly dependent on genetic diversity in desirable agronomic traits. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential genotypes having the characters of Tongil-type and to study suitable traits of tested Double Haploid (DH) lines which can be applied in breeding program. Twenty advanced DH lines along with one local check were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during autumn seasons of 2017 and 2018. All evaluated genotypes exhibited a wide and significant variation in the twelve measured traits. The highest heritability related with high genetic advance was recorded for the number of tillerplant-1, biomass yield, plant height, and grain yield. Genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance were recorded for number of tillersplant-1 and plant height in both seasons. Moreover, there was a highly significant and positive correlation of grain yield with number of panicle per m2 (0.76), number of filled grain per panicle (0.71), number of tillersplant-1 (0.69), panicle weight (0.45) and biological yield (0.45). Based on productive tillers number, number of filled grainspanicle-1, number of panicle per m2, biological yield and grain yield, the lines KF323819, KF323895, KF323826, KF323893, KF323847, KF323855 and KF323885 were high potential could be considered as a new type of aerobic rice in Sudan. In additions, hybridization of these high yielding could be used to achieve higher heterosis among the genotypes and developing reliable selection indices for improvement rice breeding programs.   Key words: Double haploid, anther culture, yield components, broad sense heritability and path coefficient analysis.