Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis Studies on Grain Yield and Its Contributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.)
O. P. Taiwo
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Rivers State University, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
A. I. Nwonuala
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Rivers State University, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Foby I. B.
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Rivers State University, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
D. O. Olawamide
Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 740, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
I. K. Agbugba
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Rivers State University, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In crop breeding, the selection for yield is made complex because of the quantitative and polygenic nature of the character. This study was undertaken to assess character association and show the contribution of various yield contributing characters in some maize varieties through the help of correlation and path coefficient analyses in order to identify appropriate plant characters for selection to improve maize grain yield. Seventeen maize varieties were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a humid environment of Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2018 under rainfed condition. Data were recorded for days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height (cm) and ear height (cm), number of plants per plot, number of plants harvested, number of ears harvested, moisture content (%), field weight (kg), and grain yield (t ha-1). Results showed number of plants per plot, number of plants harvested, number of ears harvested and field weight correlated positively and significantly both phenotypically and genotypically with grain yield. Path coefficient analysis at the genotypic level also revealed field weight and days to 50% anthesis as the characters exerting the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, maize grain yield could be improved through indirect selection for these characters.
Keywords: Maize, character association, grain yield, path coefficient analysis, selection