Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis Studies on Grain Yield and Its Contributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In crop breeding, the selection for yield is made complex because of the quantitative and polygenic nature of the character. This study was undertaken to assess character association and show the contribution of various yield contributing characters in some maize varieties through the help of correlation and path coefficient analyses in order to identify appropriate plant characters for selection to improve maize grain yield. Seventeen maize varieties were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a humid environment of Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2018 under rainfed condition. Data were recorded for days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height (cm) and ear height (cm), number of plants per plot, number of plants harvested, number of ears harvested, moisture content (%), field weight (kg), and grain yield (t ha-1). Results showed number of plants per plot, number of plants harvested, number of ears harvested and field weight correlated positively and significantly both phenotypically and genotypically with grain yield. Path coefficient analysis at the genotypic level also revealed field weight and days to 50% anthesis as the characters exerting the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, maize grain yield could be improved through indirect selection for these characters.

Correlation and Path Analysis in Elite Maize (Zea mays L.) Lines

“…On the contrary, negative direct effect exhibited by some traits like days to silking (-0.0169), days to maturity (-0.0092), plant height (-0.0168), ear height (-0.0018), ear length (-0.0202), number of rows per ear (-0.0041), germination 2 nd count (-0.0134) exhibited negative direct effect. These results are in conformity with the findings of [12], [14] and [21] for days to silking, ear height and ear length, [5] and [13] for days to maturity, plant height and number of rows per ear, [18] for germination 2 nd count. As a result, the findings suggest that the indirect selection of these traits could be more effective.…”

Genetic Variability and Interrelationship in Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes for Grain Yield and Yield Component Characters

“…High significant positive correlation with yield per plant was recorded by number of cobs per plant followed by ear length, number of grains per row, 100 grain weight, harvest index, biological yield, suggesting that indirect selection for high yield through direct selection for these characters will be highly effective (Table 3). Similar type of results for number of grains per row [18][19][20], number of cobs per plant [21], ear length [22,23], 100 grain weight [24,25], harvest index [26]. Flowering traits like days to 50% tasseling and days to 50% silking showed significant negative correlation with grain yield.…”

Studies on Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Grain Yield and Its Contributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…These results are in conformity with the findings of Archana et al, [10] for days to 50% tasseling, Tejaswini et al, [20] for no. of kernels per row, Mogesse [21] for 100 kerenl weight and Ubi et al, [22] for ear diameter, indicating that the selection for these characters was likely to bring improvement in the yield. Hence, direct selection for these traits would be effective.…”