Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies in Yield and Yield Related Characters of Tropical Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

Ten genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated for two years in the field in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. The results showed year effect to be significant for days to tasselling, days to silking, kernel weight and grain yield, and genotype effect was significant for all the characters. Also ,genotype x year interaction were significant for all the characters except kernel weight and grain yield. Genotypes AK-94-DMR-ESR and ACR-94-TZE COMP 5 had highest grain yield per hectare (7301.6kg and 7183.4kg respectively). Close resemblance between Genotypic correlation coefficient (GCV) and Phenotypic correlation coefficient (PCV) was observed for all traits indicating that selection for these characters would be effective.  Heritability estimates in general were high for all the eight characters studied except for days to 50% tasselling. Characters studied showed significant positive correlation with grain yield except for days to tasselling and silking which showed significant negative genotypic correlation with grain yield. For the rest of the characters only days to 50% tasselling showed significant negative phenotypic correlation with grain yield. The PCA identified seedling emergence (63%), kernel weight (50%), grain yield (45%), kernels per row 44%, kernel row per ear (40%) and days to tasselling (40%) as the characters that contributed significantly to variations found in the maize genotypes examined. Highest heritability (h_b) couple with high genetic advance was observed for kernel row per ear, grain yield per plant, ear length and kernels per row. Thus, these traits could be used as selection criteria for yield in maize.