Identification and Evaluation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes / Varieties for Drought Tolerance: Growth & Yield Approaches

The investigation entitled “Identification and evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes/ varieties for drought tolerance: growth & yield approaches” was conducted during Kharif season, 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the field of SIF at A.N.D.U.A&T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Twelve elite rice genotypes were shown in RBD with three replications. Among all the genotypes plant height was observed highest in Nagina 22 and lowest was found in NDR 97 under drought condition. Drought stress affects the tiller number/ plant and panicle bearing/ plants and flag leaf. Panicle length of Nagina 22, Sahbhagi Dhaan and Sukha Dhaan was affected during drought stress condition and RWC affected from genotype to genotype. With respect to grain yield per plant Nagina 22, Sushk Samrat and Sukha Dhaan performed extremely well under the drought condition. Result suggested that plant height and yield/ plant can be used as selection indices for drought tolerance.