PATH ANALYSIS FOR MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

Six inbred lines were crossed according to incomplete diallel method. In this way fifteen hybrid combinations were obtained. Hybrid combinations derived from these parental components were used in this work. The objective of study was to estimate direct and indirect effects of five morphological traits on grain yield by the application of the simple coefficient correlation and path coefficient analysis. The trait number of leaves above the top ear with the value of 0.736 has the strongest direct positive effect on grain yield. Positive direct effects on grain yield were also observed for height to tassel base and plant height, while negative direct effects were observed for ear height and total number of leaves. As far as indirect effects were considered, a positive effect of the ear position height on yield over the total plant height stands out. The evaluation of the proportion of mutual effects of five observed morphological traits on grain yield, expressed by the coefficient of multiple determination (R-y12345(2)) amounted to 0.7881.