Relationship between Grain Yield and Biomass in Hybrid Rice and Parental Line

Chonthariya Mueankaew, Tanee Sreewongchai and Weerachai Matthayatthaworn

Background and Objective: Yield potential has been the main target in the hybrid rice breeding program. Rice yield potential has been increased in hybrids as compared with their parents. Grain yield is the product of harvest index and biomass. The objective of this study was to compare the relationship between grain yield, harvest index and biomass among hybrid rice and its parents. Materials and Methods: Five hybrids in the three-line system, six hybrids in the two-line system and offspring obtained from the three-line hybrid rice system were used to investigate. The RCBD with three replications was used to evaluate agronomic traits, yield components and yield. Statistical analyses were conducted, including analysis of variance, correlation analysis and linear regression (R²), to evaluate the relationships among variables. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) for significance at p<0.05. Results: The difference in grain yield was significant in both experiments. Hybrids had higher grain yields than their parents. This experiment showed that the harvest index was difficult to increase. The harvest index was still limited to 0.50, although the productivity was increased. On the other hand, biomass could be increased efficiently. Conclusion: The hybrid yield was increased as the biomass increased. Thus, biomass should be used selection index in the hybrid rice breeding technique.

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