The variability of grain yield, seed morphometric and vigour traits of early maturing hybrid maize

Abstract

Breeding for yield and quality requires the assessment of the seed metrics and vigour traits. This study, therefore, assessed the variability and inter-dependence of grain yield (GY), seed morphometric and vigour traits in hybrid maize. Seeds of 75 early maturing hybrid maize varieties were evaluated for morphometric traits and quality in four replicates. A field trial laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replicates was also conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria, to determine the grain yield of the hybrids. Data collected on the GY, seed dimension and quality were subjected to analysis of variance. The least significant difference was used to separate means. Relationships among the GY, seed morphometric and vigour traits were determined using correlation coefficients, while principal component (PC) analysis was performed for variability among the hybrids. Significant differences (P<0.001) were found in the GY, seed dimension and vigour traits. Four of the nine highest yielding hybrids had ECT higher than 30.0 ?sg-1 cm-1. The GY correlated with seed diameter (SDT) (0.40**), seed width (SWD) (0.36**), seed length (SLG) (0.35**), seed area (SAR) (0.30**) and seed vigour (SVI) (0.30**). The SAG correlated with SDT, SLG, seed thickness (STH) and SAR. All the seed vigour traits correlated with one another. The PC I explained GY, SDT, SWD, SLG, SAR and SVI, indicating their importance in GY improvement. Seed angle, length and diameter were versatile in maize varietal selection. Identified high yielding hybrids with seed morphometric and vigour qualities can be explored by seed companies as innovation in the seed production business.