Identify traits affecting grain yield in the middle and late maize hybrids using path analysis

ABSTRACT:In order to compare the performance of maize hybrids and examine the relationship between traits affecting grain yield and its components, multiple regression analysis, and understand the direct and indirect effects of different characters on grain yield, 14 middle and late corn hybrids (9 foreign hybrids, and 5 domestic hybrids)were studied using randomized complete block design with four replications in Moghan in 2012. The results of variance analysis showed that there is a meaningful difference between all hybrids regarding to most studied traits. Mean Comparison of yield showed that the domestic hybrid seed SC647 yield is higher than the other hybrids, resulting from having too much grain weight and number of grain rows in the middle row. In multiple regression analysis, seed weight, plant height, leaf width, number of days to maturity and grain yield as influencing variables entered the model. Highest direct effect on grain yield, grain weight and the number of days to maturity had the lowest. The plant height had the highest positive indirect effect on grain yield through the thousand grain weight.