Genetic Variability and Character Association of Yield Components in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The research investigation was carried out in the experimental area of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, during the late Rabi season Mid December to May 2018 to study the genetic variability and character association of yield components in Maize with 35 maize genotypes as experimental materials that were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The research work was oriented to calculate and estimate the yield factor through analyzing the mean performances, variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient and path analysis involving the yield contributing characters. The maximum yield per plant (117.51 g) was estimated in the genotype G12 (Pacific) and the minimum yield per plant (51.89 g) was recorded in the genotype G17 (Dekalb Super). The phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all yield contributing characters. Heritability was also shown higher compared to genetic advance in comparative mean study for all the characters involved. Significant and positive correlation was observed for grain yield per plant with plant height (0.774), cob length (0.956), grain per row (0.703) and 100-seed weight (0.365). In path analysis study, positive direct correlation was recorded in days to male flowering (0.247), cob breadth (1.078), number of grains per cob (6.874) and 100-seed weight (0.595).