Study of Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlation and Path Analysis Under Potassium Fertilization in Maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

During the autumn season of 2018, a field experiment was carried out. The study’s goal was to evaluate phenotypic and genotypic correlation as well as path coefficient analysis under varied degrees of potassium fertilization. The study included nine different maize genotypes. Planted with three levels of potassium fertilization (75, 100, and 125 K2SO4 Kg Hectare-1). The split plot arrangement was done according to RCBD with three replications. The most important findings were summarized as follows: The genetic analysis revealed that genotypes differed significantly in all analyzed variables under the three levels of potassium fertilization. The grain yield genetically, phenotypically, and positively correlated with plant height, leaf area index, number of rows per ear, number of grain in a row and weight of 300 grain. The trait of a number of grains in a row showed genetic, phenotypic, and significant correlation with the three levels of potassium fertilization and the highest reached 0.95 and 0.89 respectively at the third level. Path analysis showed that the direct effects for a Leaf area index, number of rows per ear, Number of grains per row and weight of 300 grain were negative at the first level of potassium and highly positive at the other two levels. the direct selection for a number of rows per ear and Number of grains per row will incredibly effective in enhancing yield. However, the highest indirect effect for Number of grains per row was through plant height (1.76) at the first levels of potassium fertilization.