Study of morphological traits, yield and yield components on 28 commercial corn hybrids (Zea mays L.).

Variety is the major base of choice in plant breeding. Morphological traits variation can be measured by different multivariate methods. The present study was conducted to characterize 28 commercial corn hybrids using multivariate traits. The experiment was conducted at Khorasan-e-Razavi Agricultural Research and Natural Resources Center, Mashhad, I.R. Iran in 2008. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Significant variations were observed among the hybrids for the measured characteristics. Among all hybrids in this study, hybrid no. 13 with (11.6 ton/ha) produced the highest yield and hybrid no. 20 with (7.0 ton/ha) produced the lowest. Correlation coefficients between the studied variables and Total yields showed that only values for plant and ear height were significantly and negatively correlated with Total yield. We also used cluster analysis that included all the investigated characteristics and grain yield to classify the hybrids in to four groups.