Path analysis of characters affecting grain yield of rice with nitrogen spliting was studied in field experiment. The experiment was conducted as a split plot design in randomized complete block with 4 replications in Ramin Agriculture Research and Education school, Ahwaz university during 1997-98. Mainplots were split rate of N application in five levels at 4 grwoth stage (Pb P2, P3, P 4, Ps). Statistical analysis indicated that there was a signficant difference within various split rate of N for grain yield and yield components. Maximum yield was obtained for Amol3 cultivars compared to Anboori. However, Anboori had highest biological yield, desirable tillering and high plant height. Lower yield of Anboori partly was related to lower source of plant. Results of experiment indicated that highest yield obtained with split rate of N at P3 and P 4 application with yield of 3.4 and 3.1 t!ha yield, respectively. The results of this study showed that V 2P 4 and VIP 3 had highest grain yield (4.100 and 2.951 t!ha respectively). Number of spike in m2 and 1000 grain weight had positive correlation with grain yield. Among Yield components, number of spike in m2 showed positive direct (0.319) and indirect (0.072) effects on grain yield, and the indirect effect was more than other character. A path ananlysis indicated that spike number in m2 and grain number in spike had the largest direct effect on grain yield and these characters could be used in selection of high yielding
rice cultivars in response to N fertilizer
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