Abstract:
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple crops consumed by more than half
of the world’s population. To assess the range of genetic variability, heritability and association
between yield and yield component traits of upland rice, a field experiment was conducted using
twelve upland rice genotypes during 2013 main cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a
randomized complete block design, with three replications under rain -fed condition. The analyses of
variances (ANOVA) showed significant differences nearly for all traits tested, except panicle length
and number of fertile tillers per plant. Grain yield ranged from 2340 kg/ha for genotype FOFIFA-3737 to 3400 kg/ha for genotype AD-48, with a mean value of 2868 kg/ha. High to medium
phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability were observed for thousand grain weight, biomass
yield and grain yield. High broad sense heritability estimates were observed for thousand seed weight,
days to 75% maturity, days to 50% heading and biomass yield kg/ha. High to medium heritability and
genetic advance were observed for plant height, thousand grain weight, biomass yield and grain yield.
Days to 75% maturity, panicle length, plant height, number of fertile tillers per plant, number of
spikelet per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle and biomass yield had a positive and
significant correlation with grain yield. Generally from this study, plant height, number of spikelet per
panicle, number of filled grains per panicle, and biomass yield were found to be important yield
component traits.
