Correlation, regression and path coefficient analysis between morphological characteristics and grain yield of popcorn (Zea mays everta) under different levels of fertilizer and plant density

So as to examine correlation, regression and path coefficient analysis between between a morphological characteristics and grain yield of popcorn and to decide the best factors on its yield, an experiment was laid out at the Post Graduate Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur during Kharif 2012. The investigation was directed as a factorial randomized complete block design with twelve treatments combinations comprising of three fertilizer levels viz., 75% RDF (90:45:30 Kg NPK ha-1), 100% RDF (120:60:40 Kg NPK ha-1) and 125% RDF (150:75:50 Kg NPK ha-1) and four plant spacing levels viz., 60 x 15 cm2, 60 x 20 cm2, 75 x 15 cm2 and 75 x 20 cm2 and replicated thrice. Grain yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with mean number of functional leaves plant-1 (r = 0.880**), mean leaf area plant-1 (dm2) (r = 0.965**), mean dry matter accumulation plant-1 (g) (r = 0.913**). Similarly regression of grain yield on the Mean plant height (cm) (R2 = 0.1135**), Mean number of functional leaves plant-1 (R2 = 0.7732**), Mean leaf area plant-1 (dm2) (R2 = 0.9307**), LAI (R2 = 0.0633**), Mean dry matter accumulation plant-1 (g) (R2 = 0.8328**)showed a significant and positively associated between them