Genetic variability and character association for floral, yield and it’s components in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the nature and magnitude of genetic variability and character association for floral, yield and it’s component traits of maize inbred lines. The experiment was conducted during rabi, 2022-23 at Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, Andhra Pradesh. A set comprising of 112 maize inbred lines was evaluated using alpha lattice design with two replications. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for 18 metric traits revealed existence of ample genetic variation in these inbred lines. The result showed the existence of high heritability along with high genetic advance, higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation for anthesis-silking interval, number of kernels per row, 100-kernel weight, ear yield per plant and kernel yield per plant indicating the predominance of additive gene action. Hence, direct phenotypic selection using these traits may be useful for improvement in maize. Yield attributing characters; plant height, tassel size, ear height, ear position, ear girth, kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, shelling percentage, 100-kernel weight, ear yield per plant may be given due importance in selection of inbred lines as these characters recorded consistent positive correlation with kernel yield per plant. The path analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of indirect selection based on traits like plant height, tassel size, tassel extrusion, number of kernels per row, 100kernel weight and ear yield per plant in enhancing kernel yield with the present genetic material indicating that the characters included in the present study clearly explained the direct and indirect effects to some extent on the dependent variable.