1Department of Genetics and plant breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, India
3International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)-Asia c/o ICRISAT, Patancheru-502324, India
2Department of Molecular Biology and Agril. Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka
A study was undertaken to analyze grain yield and its component traits, and their relationships among themselves under heat stress conditions. A set of hybrids were evaluated during summer (mid-March sowing). Association analysis revealed that plant height, ear height, ear girth, number of kernels per cob and shelling per cent had significant positive association with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels but ASI showed negative association with grain yield per plant while leaf firing and tassel blast were positively associated. Path coefficient analysis revealed that shelling per cent and number of kernels per cob showed high direct effect on grain yield. Number of kernels per cob showed high indirect effect on yield per plant through leaf firing and ear length. Our study suggests that these traits could be considered while selecting the lines for improved grain yield under heat stress condition.
Zea mays L, heat stress, grain yield, correlation coefficient, path coefficient
