Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Phenotypic characterization and diversity assessment in indigenous rice cultivars of Assam
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Research Articles | Published: 11 May, 2026
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Keywords: Indigenous rice, Yield and quality traits, Correlation and path coefficient, Genetic diversity, D2 analysis, Principal component analysis
Abstract
Indigenous rice cultivars of Assam, valued for quality and ethnic preferences, need detailed characterization for yield, quality, and biochemical attributes. In the present study, a set of one hundred rice cultivars were evaluated for phenotypic traits, yield components, and biochemical parameters, with diversity assessed through Mahalanobis’ D2 and cluster analysis. Considerable variation was observed: Luit exhibited the shortest days to flowering (72), Ranjit exhibited the highest effective tillers per plant (18/plant) and grain yield (56.6 g/plant), Bora the lowest amylose content (1.57%), and Kajoli Chokuwa the highest protein content (10.5%). Correlation and path coefficient analysis identified harvest index, protein content, effective tillers per plant, and filled grains per panicle as key contributors to grain yield, exerting both positive correlation and direct effects. The cultivars were grouped into six clusters, with the largest inter-cluster distance (2268.5) between clusters II and IV. Genotypes in these divergent clusters with high mean values for grain weight, effective tillers, amylopectin, and protein content were identified as efficient donor parents for trait-based selection. Principal Component Analysis further validated the genetic potential of these traits and provided a framework for designing effective selection strategies. Overall, direct selection and recombination breeding involving diverse, nutrient-rich genotypes hold promise for future rice improvement programs targeting enhancement of yield and quality.
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Author Information
Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India