Assessment of association between yield and quality traits in Quality Protein Maize (QPM)

Abstract

An investigation was carried out with 61 genotypes (42 crosses, 14 lines, 3 testers and 2 checks) to assess trait association, Experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications during 2021, in three environments namely, pre-kharif (date of sowing: 15th May) - E1 , kharif (date of sowing: 30th June) - E2 and post-kharif (date of sowing: 15th August)- E3.  Analysis    of character    association    based    on    the    observations    recorded    on    yield,    yield    contributing and biochemical traits in the three environments revealed that ear height, kernel rows per ear, kernels per    row,    1000-    grain    weight,    cob    length,    cob girth    and    kernel    vitreosity    displayed    a    positive    and    highly    significant    correlation    with    grain    yield    at    both genotypic    and    phenotypic    levels.    High    direct    effect    on    grain    yield    was    exerted    by    ear    height,    kernel    rows per  ear,    kernels    per    row,    1000-    grain    weight    and    cob    length.    The    selection    of    these    traits    could    improve    the    crop    yield.