Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the response to selection for high and low grain yield and yield components, to estimate the heritability of these traits, and to compute the correlations of grain yield with yield components in the different segregating generations of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The research was conducted at Thrace Agricultural Research Institute in 1995 and 1996. Two segregating populations for each generation were used in F3, F4, and F5 in this study. The results indicated that selections for grain weight and the number of grains per panicle were effective in early generations. There were positive and significant associations between grain yield and the number of grains per panicle in all populations in both years. High heritabilities estimated for 1000 grain weight. The estimated narrowsense and realized heritabilities were similar in terms of magnitude. The selection for grain weight was effective as much as direct grain yield selection and the number of grains per panicle followed it. The results of selection conducted for low and high values of the yield components, correlations between grain yield and yield components and heritability values revealed that the number of grains per panicle could be used as selection criteria in early generations. Also, selection for desired grain size may be done in early generations.