Genetic diversity of fertility restoring lines in rice based on morphological characteristics

Diversity of 35 foreign rice l ines along with 2 Iranian lines was evaluated using 8 morphological traits. Genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at research farm of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Coefficients of phenotypic variations were high for most of traits revealing existence of sufficient variation for studied traits. Among principle components obtained through principle component analysis، three of them were explained 68. 22 percent of total variation. First component related to grain filling characteristics، while second component showing importance and positive correlation of grain number with panicle length and third component showing importance of reproductive traits against vegetative traits. Coefficients of correlations showed positive and significant relationship of yield with filled grains per panicle. Cluster analysis of genotypes using Ward’s minimum method and Euclidian distance criteria classified fertility restoring lines in three different groups. Results of this study indicated that، foreign lines via hybridization with Iranian cultivars could produce new hybrid varieties.