Studies on Path Coefficient Analysis in Maize (Zea mays L.) for Grain Yield and Its Attributes

Abstract

The efficiency of a breeding programme depends mainly on the direction and magnitude of the association between yield and its components and also the relative importance of each factor involved in contributing to grain yield. The path analysis provides an effective measure of direct and indirect causes of association and depicts the relative importance of each factor involved in contributing to the final product. Direct and positive effect on yield was exhibited by days to 75% brown husk, tassel length, cob length without husk, days to 50% tasselling, leaf width, plant height, 100 seed weight, cob length with husk, cob diameter indicating the effectiveness of direct selection, where as direct and negative effects were exhibited by days to 50% silking and ear height indicating the effectiveness of indirect selection