Genetic Variability and Character Association Studies on Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the magnitude and extent of genetic variability and trait interdependency among yield and its related characters using ninety-eight maize inbreds and four checks at department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, U.A.S. Dharawad, Karnataka, India, during Summer 2015. A good crop has been raised and evaluated by following RBD with two replications. Observations on fifteen yield related characters have been recorded and mean of each trait was subjected to analysis using WINDOSTAT v 8.0 software. ANOVA results revealed the existence of statistically significant difference among the inbreds considered for study. Trait means showed a wide range of variation and phenotypic variability was higher than genotypic variability, showing influence of environment on the yield related parameters. The high values of GCV and PCV for anthesis to silking interval (37.34; 48.40), grain yield per plant (39.10; 41.38) and fodder yield per plant (28.51; 31.31) suggested the possibility of improvement through direct selection for these traits. Another genetic parameter such as, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance over percent mean was observed for, anthesis to silking interval (59.50%; 59.33), cob weight (75.1; 60.64), kernels per row (22.84; 22.80) and grain yield per plant (41.38; 76.10) hence, selection for these traits can be practiced to improve yield and its associated traits. A significant and positive association with grain yield has been shown by, cob weight (0.89), cob length (0.52), kernel rows per cob (0.47) and shelling percentage (0.40), suggesting direct selection therefore, can be followed to improve economic yield. However, path coefficient analysis revealed that, cob weight (0.97), shelling percentage (0.30), days to 50 per cent silking, number of kernels per row, fodder yield and harvest index have highest direct effect on grain yield. The above study assured the occurrence wide genetic variability and determined the most important traits need to be considered for the improvement of grain yield.