دراسة الارتباط المظهري و تحليل المسار لصفة الغلة الحبية و مكوناتها في طرز محلية من الذرة الصفراء (Zea mays L.)‎

Abstract EN

The present investigation was undertaken to estimate phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis for grain yield and its components in maize.

Four local genotypes of yellow maize were evaluated in 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at two locations i.e.

Damascus and Dir Al-Zor under three nitrogen fertilization levels (130, 195 and 260 of N.

ha-1), The nitrogen fertilizer was applied at two splits.

Split split plot design was used with 4 replications.

Results of phenotypic correlation values showed that grain yield at Damascus location was positively and significantly associated with ear height (r= 0.204**), ear length (r= 0.205**) and number of rows per ear (r= 0.228**).

On the other hand, grain yield at Dir Al-Zor location was positively and significantly associated with all studied traits at combined data whereas, it was positively and significantly associated with ear length at three levels and combined data (0.305* , 0.410** , 0.347** and 0.375** , respectively).

The data of path coefficient analysis showed that ear length, ear height and number of rows per ear had positive direct effects on grain yield variation and thus grain yield improvement can be achieved through selection for ear length and ear height at Damascus location (11.06%).

On the other side, data showed that each of ear height, number of kernels per row and 100-kernel weight had positive direct effects on grain yield variation (32.98%) and thus, 100-kernel weight can be considered as selection criteria may lead to the improvement of grain yield in yellow maize at Dir Al-Zor location.