R. Muthuvijayaragavan, S. Jebaraj Rice, correlation, association, yield, F2 generation 44-53 6 (2) 2022 April 2022 The present study was carried out in the heterogeneous rice populations of 30 cross combinations in F₂ generation at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during kharif 2012. Association analysis revealed that, the traits viz., productive tillers per plant and panicle length showed positive and significant association with grain yield in both generations. Therefore, selection pressure exerted in any of these traits will lead to the simultaneous improvement of other traits and finally increasing yield. The path coefficient analysis revealed that the direct effects were found to be very high for 100 grain weight, spikelet fertility and days to 70% RWC contributed maximum towards enhanced grain yield. Panicle length and filled grains per panicle showed high indirect effect on yield, this trait affecting yield mainly through plant height and spikelet fertility indirectly. Therefore, selection pressure exerted in the positive side on these characters will result in increased grain yield.