Genetic variability, character association and path analysis of yield and its component traits in forage maize (Zea mays L.).

摘要

Genetic variability, character association and path analysis between fodder yield and its contributing traits were studied in 100 maize accessions along with the control cv. African Tall. The materials were collected from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, India. The phenotypic coefficients of variability estimates, in general, were relatively higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for forage contributing traits. Dry fodder yield per plant, a dependent trait was significantly and positively associated with green fodder yield and its contributing traits such as plant height, days to 50% silking, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, leaf blade length, leaf width and sheath length. Path coefficient analysis revealed that characters such as plant height, days to 50% silking, stem girth, leaf length, leaf width and number of leaves per plant had positive direct effect on dry fodder yield at phenotypic levels..