Correlation and path coefficient studies on elite genotypes of maize inbred lines

Yield is the foremost consideration in the breeding of any crop. Since the yield depends upon many yield contributing characters, it becomes essential to study the contribution of each character to the yield. An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between yield and its components in maize through correlation studies. The objective of this present study was to evaluate of interrelationships among grain yield and related characters of 43 maize inbred lines. In present study, all components traits except days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to 75% dry husk, leaf length, leaf breadth exhibited highly significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Analysis of the path coefficient analysis indicated that character like cob weight, days to 50% silking, number of kernel row per cob, leaf length, ear height in order that had high direct contribution to grain yield per plant at genotypic level. And at phenotypic level the character like cob weight shelling %, number of kernel per cob in that order had high direct contribution to grain yield per plant. Cob weight been recorded for highest direct contribution to grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level.