Contribution of different yield components for grain yield improvement in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Seventy two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids along with their parental lines were assessed for genetic correlation among 14 quantitative traits. All the traits studied exhibited a positive and significant correlation with grain yield except days to tasselling, silking and days to maturity. Grains per row exhibited the highest positive and significant correlation with grain yield followed by cob diameter, cob length, plant height, leaf breadth, leaf length, cob height, and 100 grain weight, grain rows per cob and leaves per plant. A strong positive inter correlation was observed among the traits viz., plant height, leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, cob length, cob diameter, grains per row and grain yield indicating that selection for these characters can help to improve the grain yield in maize indirectly.