This study aimed to evaluate early-maturing rice (Oryza sativa L.) advanced lines for grain yield, grain-quality traits, and stability over three years (2019–2021). Four rice advanced lines (S-7-12, S-106, TSHD 20-13-1-3-1-1, and S-123) and one check cultivar (Guljahon) received assessments for agromorphological traits, milling quality, physicochemical properties (amylose and protein content), and pasting characteristics. The advanced line S-106 consistently revealed the highest grain yield (7.31–7.63 t ha⁻¹), early maturity, higher tillering ability, greater panicle fertility, and increased grain weight per panicle. Furthermore, the said line S-106 also exhibited the optimum milling quality and stable amylose content, supporting its suitability for both production and processing. Separately, the advanced line S-123 exhibited higher protein content and favorable eating-quality traits, while the advanced line TSHD 20-13-1-3-1-1 showed the lowest yield performance and stability. Overall, the advanced line S-106 emerged as the most promising line for varietal release because of its genetic potential for the highest grain yield, desirable grain-quality traits, and stability in performance.
Rice (O. sativa L.), breeding lines, grain yield, milling quality, amylose content, protein content, pasting properties
The rice (O. sativa L.) advanced line S-106 consistently achieved the highest grain yield (7.31–7.63 t ha⁻¹) with robust stability and broad adaptability across the three years, which was also in association with its early maturity (104.9–106.5 days), reduced plant height, and high tillering capacity.