Genetic variability and correlation studies for morphological and yield traits in maize (Zea mays L.)
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Abstract
This experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, during spring 2015 to estimate genetic variability in maize genotypes for morphological and yield related traits. The study was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications using 22 genotypes comprising 20 hybrids and two local checks. Data were taken on days to tasseling, anthesis, silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, ear height, flag leaf area, cob length, kernel rows cob-1, 100-kernel weight and grain yield. Significant (P≤0.01) variability among the hybrids was found for all the traits. Mean values for the traits ranged between 49-65(tasseling), 52-70 (anthesis), 52-72 (silking), 0-4 (anthesis silking interval), 161.7-213.5(plant height), 53.8-98.6(ear height), 422.4-662.5(flag leaf area), 17.2-24.5(cob length), 13.0-17.0(kernel rows cob-1), 25.3-38.3(100-kernel weight) and 2770-7500(grain yield). Hybrid-1 performed better for yield and yield associated traits under the tested agro-climatic conditions. Grain yield had significant and positive correlation with ear length (r=0.45) and non-significant but positive correlation with plant height (r=0.23), ear height (r=0.41), flag leaf area (r=0.03) kernel rows per cob (r=0.05) and 100 kernel weight (r=0.21). The positive correlations suggested that the desired characters in these hybrids could be improved simultaneously in further maize breeding programs. Based on the result of current studies hybrid-1 could be recommended for commercial cultivation of maize hybrids for the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.
Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.); Genetic variability; Correlation, Morphological; Yield