Study of genetic diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under direct seeded condition by using principal component analysis

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic diversity by using principal component analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in thirty-two genotypes of rice under direct seeded condition (DSR). The experiment was conducted at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that first four component axes had eigen values 1.0, representing a cumulative variability of 76.86 %. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicate that four components (PC1 to PC4) accounted for about 76.86% of the total variation present among all the traits. Out of total principal components PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4 with values 33.781%, 19.02%, 13.859% and 10.206% respectively, contributed more to the total variation. The first principal component had high positive loading for 15 traits out of 17. Similarly, second and third principal component had 7 traits each, fourth component with 6 traits had high positive loadings which contributed more to the diversity. Genotypes in cluster V showed higher mean performance for most of the yield attributing traits. Therefore, selection of parents for different traits would be effective from this cluster. Thus, result of the present study could be exploited in planning and execution of future breeding programme in rice under direct seeded condition.