Genetic Effects of some Nutrient Quality Traits in Rice

Seven rice cultivars (Hassani, Deilamani, Sepidroud, Shahpasand, Saleh, Neda, IRFAON215 and their partial diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications and were evaluated for protein content and five nutrient mineral elements contents including Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Ferrum (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn). Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all studied traits. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were also significant for all traits. Non-additive effects were predominant for all traits due to low value of genetic ratio and ratio of GCA effect to SCA effect. The broad-sense heritability estimates were high for protein content and contents of K, Fe, Zn and Mn. The value of protein content and four mineral elements contents of K, P, Fe and Zn were high in landrace cultivars Deilamani, Hassani and Shahpasand. The GCA effects of these parents were also higher than those of other genotypes for all of traits, therefore, these genotypes could be used as parents in breeding programs for improving nutrient quality traits in rice.