Generation mean analysis reveals insights into yield attributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought and irrigated environments

This study aims to improve rice productivity amid climate challenges by analyzing two rice crosses over six generations to identify resilient genotypes through generation mean analysis. In both irrigated and drought conditions, most traits exhibited significance in both crosses. Cross 1 (ADT 45 × APD 19,002) displayed duplicate epistasis in traits like flowering time, plant height, panicle and flag leaf length, and single plant yield. These traits showed dominant and dominant x dominant gene interactions. Cross 2 (CO 54 × APD 19,002) exhibited duplicate gene interactions in traits such as tiller numbers, panicle length, flag leaf width, total number of grains, spikelet fertility and thousand grain weight. Additionally, additive and additive x additive effects were significant in specific traits and conditions for both crosses. These findings emphasize the possibility of improving rice varieties through delayed selection in later generation, emphasizing integrate selection with drought tolerance for high-yielding drought-resistant rice.