Studies on Genetic Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Attributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.)

During kharif-2021, the present trial was carried out at the field experimentation centre of the Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Allahabad to assess genetic association and path coefficient analysis in forty-five maize genotypes, including one check variety SHAKTIMAN-5 for eighteen quantitative traits. Based on mean performance of 45 genotypes of maize, grain yield per plant was highest in case of MGC-240 [67.07 gm] and SHAKTIMAN-5 [64.87 gm] genotypes. On the basis of Analysis of variance, significant difference was recorded for all the grain yield and its components indicating presence of large amount of variability in the genotypes. The magnitude of GCV and PCV recorded highest for Grain yield per plant and Ear height. High heritability recorded in 100 grain weight, Ear height, plant height. High genetic advance was recorded in Plant height, biological yield per plant. High genetic advance as percent mean was recorded in Ear height, Grain yield per plant. Correlation studies revealed that Grain yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level was positively and significantly correlated with Cob weight, biological yield plant per plant and Cob girth. Path analysis revealed that Days to 75% maturity, biological yield per plant registered high and positive direct effect on Grain yield per plant in genotypic path analysis. In phenotypic path analysis revealed that Cob weight, Days to 50% silking registered high and positive direct effect on Grain yield per plant. It indicates true relationship between these traits and direct selection for these traits will be rewarding for yield improvement.