Association Studies for Yield and Yield Components in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between yield and its components in maize through correlation and path studies. Yield is the foremost consideration in the breeding of any crop. Since yield depends upon many yield contributing characters, it becomes essential to study the contribution of each character to the yield. Correlation is an important parameter in estimating the relative importance of various characters on grain yield. From this studies, cob length recorded significant and highly positive correlation on grain yield followed by cob weight and ear weight. These characters were significantly and positively inter correlated among the yield components. Hence, cob length, cob weight and ear weight should be given more importance while formulating selection indices for grain yield improvement in maize. Path analysis revealed that the characters like cob length, days to silking, flag leaf width showed very high positive direct effects on yield, while number of kernals per row, flag leaf length showed high positive direct effect on yield. Hence, during selection due weightage should be given to the above characters for increasing the yield in maize.