Estimation of Genetic Variability, Hertability and Genetic Advance in Upland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Genotypes at Guraferda, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was executed using fifteen rain fed upland rice genotypes for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015) during the main cropping season in South Western Ethiopia, to estimate the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design with three replications and data on seven quantitative phenotypic traits were collected and subjected to various statistical analysis. Combined analysis of variance across years revealed significant (P≤0.05) difference of year, genotype and genotype x year interaction effects for most of the traits evaluated. The phenotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 2.76% for days 85% to maturity to 15.21% for grain yieldha^-1, while the genotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 1.52% for days 85% to maturity to 9.67% for plant height. Heritability estimates in broad sense were high for days to 50% heading (89.98%), plant height (84.49%), thousand seed weight (77.00%) and panicle length (65.10%) and moderate and low for days to 85% maturity (30.38%) and grain yield ha^-1 (8.40%), respectively. Days to 50% heading, plant height and thousand seed weight displayed high heritability along with moderate genetic advance as percent of mean estimates and days to 85% maturity and grain yield exhibited low GCV, heritability and genetic advance estimates. The present study revealed reasonable amount of genetic variability for the majority of the considered quantitative traits in rain fed upland rice genotype, indicating that it could be used in future rice breeding programs. However, it is recommended that the experiment could be replicated at more locations with more number of genotypes to assure the obtained results. In addition, it is better if more number of quantitative and qualitative traits included for widening the scope inference.

Keywords: Genetic advance, Genetic variability, Heritability, Upland Rice