Character association and path analysis of grain yield and yield components in Maize(Zea Mays L.)

An investigation was carried out to assess the character association and path analysis for nine characters viz., days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to maturity, plant height, cob length, kernel rows per cob, 100-seed weight, protein content and grain yield per plant in 29 genotypes (twenty one hybrids, their seven parents along with a check 30-V-92). Association studies revealed that, six out of nine characters exhibited highly significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant. However, the traits 100-seed weight, cob length, plant height, kernel rows per cob, days to 50% silking and days to 50% tasseling were found to possess significant association in desirable direction with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path analysis studies revealed that 100-seed weight, plant height and kernel rows per cob showed true relationship by establishing significant positive association and direct effect on grain yield per plant.