Studies on genetic parameters, correlation and path coefficient analysis in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under waterlogging condition

Abstract

The screening of fifty-five CIMMYT maize hybrids was carried out to estimate the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance as per cent of mean, correlation and path coefficient analysis of 15 characters contributing to yield per plant under excess soil moisture condition at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice design with two replications, and phenotypic data were analyzed using fifteen morphological and agronomic traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for plant height, ear height, ears per plot, field weight, number of kernel rows per ear and number of kernels per row. Higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation observed in several surface roots followed by ear height and field weight suggested that selection can be effective for these traits. High heritability, coupled with high genetic advance noticed for ear height, and plant height indicated additive gene effects. Hence, simple selection could be useful for further improvement in these characters. Correlation analysis showed that yield per plant exhibited highest and positive significant correlation with the number of kernels per row followed by field weight, ear length, number of kernel rows per ear, plant height, ear per plant and ear height. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest positive direct effects on yield per plant were exhibited by field weight followed by the number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per ear, ear length and number of nodes bearing brace roots. If the selection for waterlogging tolerant genotype is made for any of these components, the improvement in yield per plant could be achieved.