Correlation Coefficient, Regression Analysis, Path Coefficient and their Applications in Improving Grain Yield in Corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A half diallel set of crosses among six inbreed lines of maize were evaluated at Abu Garash Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, during tow growing seasons (2016-2017), to estimate the interrelationships among traits, path coefficient analysis and regression analysis for grain yield and some of its components (ear length, ear diameter, number of rows, number of kernels per row, 100-kernel weight,  and net percentage). Results showed that correlation coefficients among traits indicated that grain yield was positively and significantly associated with 100-kernel weight (0.633), ear diameter (0.508), ear length (0.413), number of kernels per row (0.371), and net percentage (0.327). The regression analysis showed that breeding programs to increase the 100-kernel weight would lead to an increase in grain yield by 40%, by 26% for the increase in ear diameter and by 17% for the increase in ear length. Path coefficient analysis result showed that each of 100-kernel weight, ear diameter and ear length considered to be the most contributing factors in grain yield.