Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Grain Yield and Yield Related Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

During Rabi-2021, the present trial was carried out at the field experimentation centre of the Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad to assess genetic association and path coefficient analysis in thirty-one maize genotypes, including one check variety MAKKA SHUATA-3 for eighteen quantitative traits. Based on the mean performance of 31 maize varieties. Grain yield per plant was highest in the case of MAKKA-3 (111.60 gm), MGC-240 (85.33 gm), and GP (84.17 gm) genotypes. An Analysis of Variance revealed significant differences in grain yield and its components for all the genotypes. This indicated a high amount of genetic variability 100 grain weight and cob weight records high GCV and PCV, as well as high heritability. In genotypic and phenotypic correlation, cob weight and 100-grain weight are highly and significantly correlated with grain yield. And genotypic path analysis revealed that cob weight, 100 grain weight, number of rows per cob, cob length, days to 75% maturity, number of grains per row, and ear height. Phenotypic path results showed that cob weight, 100 grain weight, number of grain rows per cob, number of grains per row, days to 75% maturity, ear height, and highest direct effect on grain yield. This indicates a true relationship between these traits, and selecting these traits will improve yields.