Path analysis of traits affecting grain yield and its components in corn

Abstract

The path analysis of yield and yield-related traits provides estimates of direct effects and relationships between traits that may be useful in the breeding and production of corn (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to determine the direct effects of predictor yield-related traits on response yield-related traits and grain yield of corn during the dry and wet seasons in the Philippines. Data were obtained from 11 corn hybrids during the 2002 dry and wet season field experiments at the University of the Philippines Los Banos. Grain yield and 13 yield-related traits (plant and ear height, days to silking, stalk circumference, leaf area index at 30 d after planting and at tasseling, number of ears per plant, ear length, ear circumference, ear mass, grain row length, number of grain rows and grain mass) were organized into a path diagram based on the structural organization of the corn plant. Correlation analyses indicated that ear length and mass were consistently correlated with grain yield in both seasons, while path analyses indicated that high ear mass, grain row length, grain mass and ear length increased grain yield in both seasons. Thick stalk increased grain yield only during the dry season, while more ears per plant increased grain yield only during the wet season.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

400-407

Document Type

Article

Subject

Corn, Path analysis, Yield components

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