Genotypic variability for grain quality attributes in restorer lines of hybrid rice

Twenty-six restorer line were selected for evaluation for genetic variability, heritability and genetic association among physicochemical, nutritional, yield and yield contributing traits in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The analysis showed that restorer line has milling rice percentage, head rice recovery percentage, cooking time, elongation ratio, amylase content and protein content with average value among 26 genotypes (64.60%, 73,00%, 16.67 min, 1.38, 19.26% and 6.36% respectively). Highest grain yield was obtained from the restorer line 3038R (15.99 g/plant), followed by BRRI20R (14.83 g/plant), PR828R (14.10 g/plant), PR312R (13.91 g/plant), BRRI31R (13.61 g/plant) and BRRI19R (13.28 g/plant). The line BRRI20R and BRRI31R had high (25.00%) amylase and protein content, milling rice percentage, head rice recovery percentage. F2277R had less (14.00 min) cooking time. Grain yield exhibited a strong positive correlation with head rice recovery percentage, amylase content and thousand grain weight. Insignificant genotypic correlation was observed among physicochemical, nutritional, yield related traits and grain yield. Most of the studied traits indicating that selection with these traits might be possible without compromising any yield loss. Based on mean, range, genetic parameters, correlation coefficient and path coefficient values, direct selection through five traits i.e., head rice recovery percentage, cooking time, amylase content, protein content and thousand grain weight would significantly improve the grain yield of restorer line. Some of these restorer lines can be used for development of hybrid rice regarding these physicochemical, nutritional quality and yield related traits.