Evaluation of Yield Indices and Identification of Yield Responsive Genes (GN1a and GS3) of Selected Rice Genotypes

Background and Objective: Rice is consumed by more than fifty percent of the world’s population, especially in developing countries. This research aimed at evaluation of yield indices and identification of yield responsive genes (GN1a and GS3) of selected rice genotypes. Materials and Methods: Ten rice genotypes was obtained from Maslaha seeds limited Gusau. The seeds were sown on February 3rd and harvested on 22nd June, 2023. The Data collected on plant height, tiller number, number of panicles, panicle length, panicle weight and days to 50% flowering. The genomic DNA of the rice genotypes was extracted using a standard DNA extraction Kit (Plant/Seed Miniprep kit). The Data collected was subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis System (SAS Version 9.4). Results: The results shows that significant differences (p<0.05) exist amongst genotypes for plant height at maturity with Maikwalli recorded the tallest plants while Danruwa had the shortest plant height. Number of tiller counted were significantly different (p<0.05) among the genotypes such that FARO60 produced the highest number of tillers compared to Maikwalli which produced the lowest tillers among all the entries. The presence of GN1a and GS3 genes was revealed by PCR products in the ten rice cultivars tested. In this study, all the ten genotypes evaluated showed better grain characteristics and germination. Conclusion: The FARO60, Maikwalli, Bvfort and Kamrun accessions proved to be the best in terms of grain characteristics while Danruwa, FARO44, FARO60 and Kamrun proved to have the best yield. This study recommends that genotypes such as Danruwa, FARO44 and Maikwali which yielded the first appearance could be subjected to further trial to ascertain their level of performance.