GENETIC VARIABILITY, CHARACTER ASSOCIATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN F 3 SHORT STATURE POPULATIONS OF WHITE MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The investigation was carried out with 24 F 3

white maize populations to study the genetic variability, character association and finally to select the short duration and dwarf promising populations based on yield and yield contributing traits at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during November 2017 to March 2018. Significant variations were observed among the F 3 populations for all the traits studied. The F 3 population of KS-510-F 3 -S 2 showed the maximum mean performance in plant height (220.61 cm), cob length (19.65 cm), number of grains per row (33.83), while the population of Youngnuo-7F 3 -S 1 showed the minimum mean performance in plant height (122.33 cm), cob height (53.00 cm), base diameter (6.10 cm). The population PSC-121-F 3- showed the maximum yield per plant (97.67), while Youngnuo-7-F 3 showed the minimum yield per plant (46.94). In analysis of different genetic parameters the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values were observed for cob height (20.99, 21.55), leaf blade area (19.20, 20.31), yield per plant (19.04, 22.59). High heritability coupled with high genetic advances in percent mean were obtained for plant height, cob height, number of cob bearing node, leaf blade area, number of grains per row and yield per plant. Correlation studies revealed that yield per plant positively and significantly associated with plant height, base diameter, number of leaves per plant, cob length, cob diameter and number of grains per row at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis indicated positive direct contribution towards yield per plant through plant height, base diameter, branches of tassel, leaf blade area, cob length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, number of grains per row and 100 grain weight. Based upon the mean performance among the 24 F 3 -S 1 segregating population, PSC-121-F 3

and KS-510-F 3 -S 1 would be selected for high grain yield per plant. Again Youngnuo-7-F 3 -S 2 and Changnuo-1-F 3 -S 1 might be selected as promising for both of the traits short duration and dwarf plant stature.

S 2 -S 2