Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part B (2025)

A field experiment was conducted at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, during 2024. To evaluate 61 rice genotypes including four checks viz., Swarna, NDR 8002, Pooja and Chhattisgarh Dhan 1919. For analysis of genetic variability and divergence among the rice genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the lines, indicating substantial genetic variability. Genetic parameter evaluation showed higher PCV values than GCV, indicating the influence of environmental factors on the expression of the traits. High heritability, along with a higher genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, were recorded for quantitative characters viz., Number of total grains per panicle, test weight, biological yield per plant, number of unfilled grains per panicle and harvest index, indicating the predominance of additive gene action. Genetic diversity analysis grouped into 5 clusters. The highest number of genotypes appeared in Cluster I, which contain 19 genotypes followed by Cluster IV, which contain 15 genotypes followed by Cluster V, which contain 12 genotypes followed by Cluster III, which contain 9 genotypes followed by Cluster II, which contain 6 genotypes. This study signifies the importance of genetic variability and divergence. The diverse lines can be utilized further rice improvement programme.