Cluster and principle component analyses of maize accessions under normal and water stress conditions

Abstract

In the current set of an experiment, forty maize genotypes were assessed for drought associated traits. For evaluation of these traits, PC and correlation analyses were employed to obtain suitable parents that can be further exploited in future breeding programmes. Correlation analysis revealed some important associations among the traits studied. Fresh root length had positive and significant associations, but leaf temperature had a significant negative correlation with root density at both 40% and 100% moisture levels while root density had negative association at 100% and positive correlation at 40% moisture level with chlorophyll content. The positive correlation among these yield contributing traits suggested that these characters are important for direct selection of drought tolerant high yielding genotypes. Principal component (PC) analysis showed first 4 PCs having Eigen value >1 explaining 86.7% and 88.4% of the total variation at 40% and 100% moisture levels respectively with different drought related traits. Cluster analysis classified 40 accessions into four divergent groups. The members of clusters 1 and 2 may be combined in future breeding programmes to obtain genotypes/hybrids that can perform well under drought stress conditions. Members of cluster 3 may be selected on the basis of root density, leaf temperature, dry root weight and root shoot ratio by weight and can be combined with members of cluster 4 due to higher leaf temperature and root shoot ratio by length. The results showed that the germplasm having a wide genetic diversity can be thus utilized for future breeding programme to obtain drought tolerant maize genotypes/ hybrids for adaptation to water scarce areas.

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for yield and yield related traits in southwestern Ethiopia

“…There were highly significant (P0.01) differences among the inbred lines for all studied traits, except for tassel size ( Table 2). The present result is also in agreement with the findings of Taye (2014) and Mustafa et al (2015). Thus, the genetic variability recorded in this study could be exploited by plant breeders to develop improved hybrid varieties.…”

“…Hence, these traits can be relied upon; and simple and effective selection can be practiced for further improvement. The inbred lines showed adequate variability with regard to these traits, thus; genetic improvement could be achieved through selection for these traits (Vashistha et al, 2013;Mustafa et et al, 2015). Low PCV and GCV were observed for leaf width, kernel row per ears, leaf length, days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, and days to maturity and this could probably be attributed to the phenotypic plasticity and also presence of both positive and negative alleles in the maize genotypes leading to low genotypic variation.…”

Multivariate Analysis for Yield and Its Component Traits in Experimental Maize Hybrids

“…ANOVA also revealed the significant variability for the characters contributing to PC 1 and PC 2. Mustafa, Farooq, Hassan, Bibi, and Mahmood (2015), also found similar type of results and jas.ccsenet. concluded the materi diverse gen Figure 2.…”

Evaluation of Elite Open-Pollinated Maize Lines in Two Contrasting Environments

“…Cluster analysis was used many times for classification purposes of maize genetic materials, sometimes in combination to principal components analysis (Hafiz, Jehanzeb, Ejaz-ul-Hasan, Tahira, & Tariq, 2015). Cluster analysis of our data set resulted in two main groups, exhibiting that environment of selection may influence classification of open-pollinated maize lines.…”