Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis in Maize (Zea mays L.).

ABSTRACT

An investigation was carried out on correlation and path analysis for 12 characters on 60 F1s obtained by crossing 20 inbred lines with three testers using line × tester mating design in maize. Sixty hybrids along with 23 parents and three standard checks were evaluated for twelve characters during rabi, 2012-13. The phenotypic character association among the yield components revealed positive association of grain yield per plant with days to maturity, plant height, ear height, ear length, ear girth, number of kernel rows per plant, number of kernels per row, 100- kernel weight and shelling percentage. Grain yield per plant negatively correlated with days to 50 per cent tasseling and days to 50 per cent silking. The path coefficient analysis at phenotypic level revealed that character, 100-kernel weight (0.2863) exhibites the largest direct effect on grain yield per plant followed by number of kernels per row (0.2509) and ear girth (0.2202. Further, days to 50 per cent tasseling, days to 50 per cent silking and days to maturity recorded negative direct effect on grain yield.