Path analysis and correlation of two genetic classes of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the primary and secondary components that are directly or indirectly related to grain yield and this relationship depends on the type of hybrid (single or triple). The maize experiment was conducted in the agricultural year 2011/12, in the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, with eighteen treatments, consisting of eleven simple hybrids and seven triple hybrids arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The variables evaluated were plant height and first ear of corn, length and diameter ear, number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row, weight of hundred grains and productivity. The data of simple hybrids and triple hybrids were grouped for comparison by test t at 5% probability. Subsequently, were estimated Pearson correlation coefficients between the parameters evaluated for each genetic class, proceeding the diagnosis of multicollinearity. Then, the correlations between other features and productivity (dependent variable) were split into direct and indirect effects, establishing relations of cause and effect between them. The results show that the relationship between direct and indirect effects on productivity depend on the genetic class. The variable number of grains per row and weight of hundred grains are directly correlated to grain yield and are indirectly influenced through the effects of the length and ear diameter, respectively. © 2014 Asian Network for Scientific Information.