Genetic Analysis of Agronomic Traits and Grain Anthocyanin and Micronutrient (Zinc and Iron) Content in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Background and Objective: Consumption of coloured rice has been associated with decreased risk of many diseases and may exert positive effects on human health in the presence of anthocyanin and micronutrients. This experiment was carried out for genetic analysis of agronomic traits, anthocyanin and micronutrients (Zn, Fe) content of rice. Materials and Methods: Five coloured pericarp rice genotypes were included in a field experiment for eleven agronomic traits and lab tests for three nutrients measurement. The anthocyanin content of rice grain was determined by the HPLC method and micronutrient (Zn, Fe) content was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method. Results: The results revealed that the highest grains per panicle (302) and grain yield per plant (60 g) were observed in the genotype RS 31. Genotype RS 17 showed the highest anthocyanin content (570 mg/100 g). The RS 17 and RS 54 have high Zn content with higher Fe content. Total tillers per plant exhibit a high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation followed by anthocyanin content, grain yield per plant, grains per panicle, filled grain per panicle, zinc content and plant height. Iron content showed a moderate coefficient of variation. Grain yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with effective tillers per plant, panicle length, days to maturity and grains per panicle and positively correlated with anthocyanin content. A significant positive correlation was found between Zn and anthocyanin content. Path coefficient analysis showed that a positive direct effect was observed of grains per panicle (4.576), Zn content (1.977), anthocyanin content (0.746) and effective tillers per plant (0.318) on grain yield per plant. Conclusion: Among the studied rice genotypes RS 17 and RS 31 have been selected as promising with high grain yield and nutritional quality that would be given positive health effects and also a prerequisite towards improving nutritional enrich rice varieties.