NARROW SENSE HERITABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

An investigation was carried out to study the narrow sense heritability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for 11 characters on 45 maize hybrids, their 10 parents along with 2 standard checks during Kharif 2011. Analysis of variance revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes showed significant differences for all the 11 characters studied. Magnitudes of genotypic correlations were found to be higher than phenotypic correlations. The results indicated that grain yield was positively and significantly associated with 100-seed weight, ear girth, number of kernels per row, ear length, plant height and ear height. Days to silking had largest direct effect on grain yield per plant followed by number of kernels per row, 100-seed weight and ear girth. High narrow sense heritability estimates were recorded in days to tasseling, days to silking, ear height, number of kernels per row, 100-seed weight, ear girth, days to maturity, ear length and grain yield per plant. Thus, these traits are predominantly under the control of additive gene action and hence these characters can be improved by selection.