Genetic Divergence in Rice Genotypes for Grain Micronutrients and Yield

Abstract

The current study aimed to assess the variability, heritability, and genetic diversity of grain characteristics, with a specific emphasis on grain Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) content, across 31 different rice genotypes. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant genotypic differences for all the traits studied. For each trait, the Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) consistently exceeded the Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV). Most traits demonstrated high heritability (> 60%), except for grain Iron and Zinc content. The number of grains per panicle trait exhibited the highest heritability at 93.20% and showed the greatest genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (52.57%), followed by test weight with a genetic advance of 33.516%. The 31 genotypes were categorized into six distinct clusters using the Euclidean method. The greatest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster V and cluster III (366.88), indicating that genotypes from these clusters with significant differences in cluster means could be valuable for cross-breeding to produce superior recombinants. These genotypes hold potential for breeding programs aimed at improving Zn content alongside higher yield in rice.