Genetic variability, heritability, trait associations and path coefficient analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) inbreed lines

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the first most vital cereal share for the productivity, but the second in its production area coverage next to tef, in Ethiopia. However, its development and productivity are influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. The absence of tolerant maize verities and or inbreed lines also another significant problem. Therefore, the present study was targeted to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of traits, to verify the genotypic and phenotypic associations between essential characteristics and determine the relationship of features with grain yield and direct and indirect effects using path coefficient analysis. The experiment was conducted at Pawe Agricultural Research Center using 23 inbred lines with RCB design with 3 replications. Results revealed that significant (P<0.01) variations were observed between inbred lines in yield and yield-related traits. Moderate to the high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as the percentage of mean values were recorded for plant height, ear height and grain yield. Plant height, ear height and number of ears were observed significant to highly significant positive phenotypic and genotypic associations with grain yield. In contrast, days to 50% anthesis and silk emergence, plant and ear aspects were showed negatively significant associations with grain yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The highest grain yield was recorded from A7033 (8.3 t ha^-1), CML197 (6 t ha^-1) and CML202 (5.5 t ha^-1) and these lines could be best female parents’ foe crop maize improvement programs.