CORRELATION AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSES IN SWEET CORN

Aim of this study was to determine the selection criteria for plant breeders using correlation and path coefficient analyses in a sweet corn sub population comparing 8 varieties. The trials were arranged in the Randomized Completely Block Design with three replicates under drop irrigated conditions during the 2009 and the 2010 main growing seasons under the Mediterranean climatical conditions. Analyses were done by pooling over two years due to insignificant genotype x year interactions. In conclusion, fresh ear weight could be used as a selection criterion because of its highly positive direct effects on fresh grain yield as well as indirect effects on all other characters. Row number per ear and ear length could also be considered for selection in a sweet corn breeding.