Potence Ratio and Path Analysis for Yield and Quality Traits in Single Crosses of Maize (Zea mays L.) Produced in Syria

The present study was carried out at the Maize Researches Department in General Commission for Science agriculture Research (G-C-S-A-R) Damascus, Syria. This study aimed at estimating the potence ratio and phenotypic correlations and path analysis coefficient analysis for protein, oil, and starch content in grain, grain yield per plant and 100-kernel weight. Twenty eight single cross hybrids were produced using a half diallel cross in 2008 cropping season and consequently evaluated during 2009 cropping season. Potence ratio results indicated that partial and over-dominance gene effects played a major role in inheritance of protein, oil, and starch content in grain while, over-dominance gene effects were the most dominant in the inheritance grain yield per plant and 100-kernel weight. Positive and high significantly correlations were observed between protein and oil content in grain (0.366) and between grain yield and100-kernel weight (0.386). Potence ratio estimates indicating partial and over-dominance towards the higher starch, oil, protein, for 100 grain yield per plant over-dominance gene effects played a major role in inheritance of this trait. Path analysis results showed the contribution of oil content in grain, 100-kernel weight and grain yield per plant for protein content in grain variation account 15.55%, and the relative important of oil content in grain reach to 13.40%. So, it can be considered as selection criteria which may lead to improve protein content in maize grain.