Validation of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids for the Study on Variability, Trait Association, and Path Analysis

The present investigation was conducted with nine genotypes in randomized block design during Rabi, 2019-20 at the instructional-cum-research farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. All the characters exhibited significant genotypic mean squares in analysis of variance except anthesis silking interval, kernel rows per ear and 100 kernel weights. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for the traits plant height, ear height, ears per plant, ear length, kernels per row, chlorophyll content, leaf area index 60 days after sowing (LAI 60 DAS), LAI 90 DAS, harvest index, grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare. Significant genetic association of grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare with days to 50% pollen shed, days to 50% silk, days to 100% dry husk, ear height, kernels per row, LAI 60DAS and LAI 90 DAS. Genotypic path analysis revealed that the characters, days to 50% silk, days to 100% dry husk, plant height, ears per plant, ear diameter and harvest index had the highest positive direct effects on grain yield per hectare while days to 50% pollen shed and ear height had the highest negative direct effect on grain yield per hectare. The hybrids namely, PAC 751, CP 333 and PAC 751 ELITE, were found to be the three best hybrids to possess a high estimate of desirable traits such as days to 50% pollen shed, days to 50% silk, days to 100% dry husk, plant height, ear height, ear diameter, leaf area index at 60 days after sowing, lea area index at 90 days after sowing, grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare.