Abstract
Abstract The wide distribution and diversity have been identified in agro-morphological and quantitative traits of rice grown in Jumla district which is reported as the highest altitude in the world for rice cultivation. Local landraces and improved cultivars are commonly grown by Jumla Farmers. This research explored rice cultivars planted at different altitudes under field conditions to characterize and evaluate agro-morphological traits and their correlation. Results showed, there was no significant difference in yield between local landraces and improved varieties. Influence of altitudinal variation on local landraces was scarce, while its effect on improved variety: Chandannath-1 was significant. This study suggested that local landraces such as Jumli Marshi, Daarime Marshi and Raato Marshi were not significantly different from the improved varieties and suggested cultivation of local landraces because of better price and profit. Clustering observations showed the considerable performance of Cluster 4 regarding panicle length (PL), number of grains per panicle (NGPP), and thousand grain weight (TGW) which are essential traits for higher grain yield. The correlation and path analysis showed that yield had strong positive correlations with Number of tillers per hill (NTPH) and moderate positive correlations with Flag leaf length (FLL), PL, NGPP, and Grains weight per panicle (GWPP). This study indicated that GWPP and NTPH possessed both positive correlation and high positive direct effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative traits of both local landraces and improved varieties to provide farmers with sound recommendations.