Grouping lines of rice based on morphological and agronomic traits

The current study was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity of rice promosing lines using multivariate analyses on agronomic and morphological traits. Sixteen rice lines were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications in 2009 at the Tonekabon (Chaparsar) Rice Research Station in Iran. Agronomic and morphological characteristics including plant height, tiller number, panicle length, flag leaf area, filled, empty and total grains number, thousand kernel weight, panicle weight and yield were assessed. Genotypes were classified into three groups using Ward’s method. Results of stepwise regression analysis for yield indicated that three traits of panicle weight, flag leaf area and plant height showed higher variation and explained total yield variations. In general, genotypes number 11, 13 and 15, which had higher yield and morphological characteristics than others could be used as a base community and desirable lines for agronomic programs, and they is recommended in the same conditions as this experiment.