Study of Character Association and Path Analysis in Newly Developed Single Crosses of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the correlation and path analysis in eight parents and their 28 F1’s and two commercial check hybrids, namely, Vivek hybrid-9 and SM-3. Correlation coefficient of different characters showed that the traits ear length, ear girth, kernel rows per ear and 1000 kernel weight had significant association with grain yield as well as among themselves. So selection should be exercised considering these characters in breeding programme. Path analysis showed that high direct effect was exhibited by 1000 kernel weight, whereas moderate positive direct effect was recorded by kernel row per ear and ear girth on grain yield. Hence, selection for these traits could bring improvement in the yield and yield components. The low residual effect indicated that the characters studied in the present investigation explained almost all the variability towards yield.