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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)

Screening of high-yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar based on quantitative traits, through multivariate analysis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10931
Submitted
28 July 2025
Published
19-05-2026 — Updated on 29-05-2026
Versions

Abstract

To improve selection efficiency for high yield and adaptability in rice, the present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic variability, trait associations and diversity among sixty rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes. Field trials were conducted for two consecutive seasons (2023–2024) at Lovely Professional University, Punjab, based on major agronomic and yield-related traits. Analysis of variance revealed adequate genetic variability among the genotypes, reflecting sufficient scope for genetic improvement. The genotypes DDR-101, Matko Dhan, R-2370-115-1-93-1, Goyadi, Ketaki and Ruchi Dhan consistently showed better Seed Yield per Plant (SYP), Biological Yield (BY), Harvest Index (HI) and 1000-Seed Weight (TSW). Based on flowering time, early flowering rice genotypes PR-131, DDR-100, Karangi, Goyadi and Purple Rice 2 were found suitable for a short-season crop. Long-duration types of Ashoka 200 and Haldi Ghati were suitable for longer growing environments. High heritability, along with high genetic advance, for the number of grains per panicle (NGP), TSW and plant height (PH), pointed to the preponderance of additive gene action and was thus favorable for direct selection. Strong positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations of BY, NGP and productive panicles with seed yield were further supported by indirect selection criteria, which showed that the BY, harvest index, grains per panicle and test weight were the major direct contributors to yield.  Multivariate analysis showed a wide genetic divergence and clusters III and VIII consisted of high-yielding genotypes. Principal component (PC) analysis accounted for 83.20 % of total variation and the genotypes Asamiya Dhan, R-2370-115-1-93-1, Goyadi and Ruchi Dhan proved promising parents for breeding programs with respect to yield, earliness and adaptability in rice.

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