ABSTRACT
The present study evaluates the genetic variability, heritability and performance of twenty rice genotypes under untreated and treated conditions using Bacillus subtilis. The primary objective was to assess yield, yield-related traits and seedling growth responses to microbial treatment and variability for quality traits in both situations. Significant variation was observed among genotypes for all the traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability were observed for panicle weight, number of filled grains, chaffiness, grain yield per plant, grain length, grain length to breadth ratio and gelatinization temperature indicating strong potential for selection. The heritability analysis showed that traits like days to 50 per cent flowering, number of productive tillers and grain yield per hectare had high heritability coupled with high genetic advance, suggesting that these traits are controlled by additive genetic factors and are suitable for early selection in breeding programs. There was significant interaction between rice genotypes and Bacillus subtilis for all yield and seedling parameters except for days to fifty per cent flowering. Additionally, a differential genotypic response to Bacillus subtilis was observed among the genotypes indicating substantial part of the plant holobiont’s response is driven by its microbiome.
Treatment with Bacillus subtilis enhanced both yield related and seedling parameters, with Mugad siri-1253 and A-67 genotypes showing improved seedling vigour. The microbial interaction led to an increase in metabolite production, activating unique metabolic pathways that are crucial for plant growth and development. Overall, the study concluded that microbial treatment can significantly improve the performance of rice genotypes. These findings provide valuable insights for future breeding programs focused on enhancing rice productivity through plant microbe interactions.