Cause-and-effect relationship of yield and its components under cold-stress condition in rice (Oryza sativa)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (38) from diverse origin were studied for correlation and path-coefficient analysis under cold-stress condition for grain yield, using 9 characters. Grain yield was positively correlated with 1 000-grain weight and negatively with sterility (%) and plant height. Panicle length, panicle density and sterility(%) were the main component characters affecting yield directly. High and positive indirect effects were contributed by 1 000-grain weight and days to flowering through grains/panicle and panicle length respectively. The combined results of correlations and path coefficients indicated that 1 000-grain weight and days to flowering through grains/panicle and panicle length respectively. The combined results of correlations and path coefficients indicated that 1 000-grain weight, spikelet fertility and short plant height have maximum effect on selection for improvement in grain yield of rice under cold-stress condition.