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DOI 10.18551/rjoas.2021-09.16
ANALYSIS OF CORRELATION AND AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS IN SINGLE CROSS HYBRIDS OF MAIZE
Sharma Hari Prasad*, Upadhyaya Jharana
Directorate of Agricultural Research, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khajura Banke,
Lumbini Province, Nepal
Shrestha Jiban
Nepal Agricultural Research Council, National Plant Breeding and Genetics Research
Centre, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
*E-mail: harisharma.ag@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0003-0981-3772
ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to estimate the correlation coefficients and assess agro-morphological variability of single cross hybrids of maize. This study was conducted at research field of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during the winter season from October 6, 2015 to March 5, 2016. Fourteen single cross maize hybrids were evaluated to study correlation and agro-morphological traits. Single cross hybrid namely RML-98 / RL-105 (6229 kg ha-1) significantly produced the highest yield, followed by RM1-4 / NML-2 (6073 kg ha-1), RML-95 / RL-105 (5904 kg ha-1) and RML-5/RL-105 (5528 kg ha-1). Cob length was strongly correlated with cob diameter (0.885), number of kernels per row (0.812), number of kernel rows per cob (0.951), test weight (0.870) and grain yield (0.916). Similarly, cob diameter was strongly correlated with number of kernels per row (0.870), number of kernel rows per cob (0.934), test weight (0.922) and grain yield (0.946). The number of kernels per row was strongly correlated with number of kernel rows per cob (0.915), test weight (0.781) and grain yield (0.847). The number of kernel rows per cob was strongly correlated with test weight (0.902) and grain yield (0.942). Similarly, test weight was strongly correlated with grain yield (0.968). The grain yield of the evaluated hybrids was significantly positively correlated with yield attributing traits. There was considerable variability among the hybrids evaluated for growth, grain yield, and traits indicating the presence of variation. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that farmers should grow maize hybrids RML-98 / RL-105, RM1-4 /NML-2, RML-95 / RL-105 and RML-5/RL-105 to achieve higher maize production.
KEY WORDS
Correlation, genetic variations, single cross maize hybrids.
Maize (Zea mays L, 2n = 2 x = 20), a member of the Gramineae family, is the second most important grain after rice and contributes to Nepal's agricultural economy in several ways. The area and productivity of maize were 9.6 million hectares and 2.96 mt ha-1, respectively (MoAD, 2020). Similarly, the seed replacement rate of Nepalese maize is low (11.3%) (Pokhrel, 2013). It has been reported that the demand for corn has increased by 5% in the last decade (Sapkota & Pokhrel, 2010). This contributes to about a quarter of total grain production, 6.54% in AGDP and 3.15% in GDP (MoAD, 2013). It currently accounts for about 80% and 10% of maize production in Terai and Mid hills (Adhikari, 2014). Hybrid maize accounted for about 7% to 10% of Nepal's area in 2010 (Gurung et al. 2011), and hybrid maize acreage is increasing every year. Nepal annually imports about 20% of maize seeds (Adhikari, 2014) and almost 100% of hybrid seeds from India (Gurung et al., 2011). However, around 40% to 45% of the corn kernels used in the animal feed industries is still imported from India each year (CDD, 2013).
Genetic diversity plays an important role in plant breeding. In the description and classification of germplasm, morphological characterization is the first step (Smith & Smith, 1989). Characterization of morphological variability is an important tool to identify germplasm with desirable traits such as early maturity, disease resistance, or improved ear traits. The characterization and grouping of the germplasm based on agro-morphological traits help the breeders to avoid duplication in the sample population (Shrestha, 2016). Qualitative and quantitative information on maize morphological characteristics may help maintain its genetic variability and protect them from genetic erosion (Lucchin et al., 2003). Khodambashi et al., (2012) stated that in breeding programs, understanding of the mode of inheritance of the yield components, the correlations among them and the association between each component and yield is necessary for an intelligent choice of breeding procedures for evolving high-yielding varieties. Correlation is the degree to which two or more variables are related and change together (Gomez & Gomez, 1984). Hallauer and Miranda (1988) reported that correlation measures the degree of relevance between two or more traits and is measured by the correlation coefficient. It can be genotypic or phenotypic (non-genetic) in nature. The objective of the present study is to estimate the correlation coefficients and the agro-morphological variability in single cross hybrid of maize.
MATERIALS AND METHODS OF RESEARCH
Plant materials. Fourteen maize hybrids were evaluated in this study. All these hybrids were received from National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal.
Table 1 - List of maize hybrids used in the experiment
Maize hybrids Parentage line
RML-4/RML-17 CA00326/ CML-287
RML-95/RML-96 PUTU-17/ AG-27
RML-32/RML-17 CA00320/ CML-287
RML-86/RML-96 PUTU-20/ AG-27
RML-5/RL-105 CA00314/UPAHAR-B-20-2-4-1 -1
RML-95/RL-105 PUTU-17/UPAHAR-B-20-2-4-1 -1
RML-115/RML-96 PUTU-17/AG-27
RML-153/RL-105 POOL-21 -12-1-2-1-1-1/UPAHAR-B-20-2-4-1 -1
RML-85/RL- 105 PUTU-14/UPAHAR-B-20-2-4-1 -1
RML-98/RL-105 L-3/UPAHAR-B-20-2-4-1 -1
RML-4/NML-2 (RH-2) CA00326/C ML-430
CP-666 -
Bioseed-9681 -
Rajkumar -
Experimental Sites. The field experiment was conducted from the first week of October 6, 2015 to March 5, 2016 at the National Maize Research Program (NMRP) in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experimental site is located at 27°40'N, 84°21'E and 228 m above sea level. The soil of experimental site consisted of sandy loam (65.7%), acidic soil (pH 5.43), high organic matter (3.95%), medium available total nitrogen (0.15%), high available phosphorus (33.76 ppm) and medium available potassium (145 ppm) (Khadka et al., 2016). The highest temperature recorded during the experiment was 27.32 °C, and the lowest was 14.33 °C. The minimum temperature ranged from 8.76°C to 24.08 °C. The maximum amount of precipitation (42.5 mm) in October 2015, the minimum precipitation (4.66 mm) in January. The total rainfall during crop growing season was 95.66 mm.
Experimental design and cultural practices. Fourteen maize hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The plot size was 2 rows of 3 m length and spacing was of 60 cm x 25 cm. The individual net plot was 3.6 m2 (3 m x 1.2 m). Farm yard manure @ 10 t ha-1 and 180: 60: 40 kg N:P:K ha-1 in the form of Urea, Di-ammonium phosphate, and Murate of Potash were used. Half dose of nitrogen and full dose of phosphorus and potassium was applied at the time of sowing. The remaining nitrogen was halved and applied on 30 DAS and 45 DAS. Atrazine 2.0 g + Pendimethalin 4.5 ml L-1 water were used to control weeds.
Data observation. Data on plant height, cob height, days to 50% silking, days to 50% tasseling, anthesis silking interval, test weight (1000 kernels weight), cob length, cob diameter, number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row were recorded. Grain yield (kg ha-1) at 15% moisture content was calculated using fresh ear weight with the help of the below formula:
kg F'W" i^jîot^ X (100 - HMP) X S X 10000
Grain yield f—) =-:---
(100-DMP) X NPA
Where: F.W. = Fresh weight of ear in kg per plot at harvest; HMP = Grain moisture percentage at harvest; DMP = Desired moisture percentage, i.e. 15%; NPA = Net harvest plot area, m2; S = Shelling coefficient, i.e. 0.8.
This formula was also adopted by Carangal et al. (1971) and Shrestha et al. (2015) to adjust the grain yield (kg ha-1) at 15% moisture content. This adjusted grain yield (kg ha-1) was again converted to grain yield (t ha-1).
Data Analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient of growth, yield and its attributing traits was worked out according to the procedure outlined. The correlation coefficient was calculated using SPSS 20.
Where: r = Pearson correlation coefficient; xi= x variable; yi= y variable; x = Mean of x
variable; Y = Mean of y variable.
All collected data were entered in computer software MS Excel version 16. A Tukey test was performed at a 5 % level of significance. GenStat, version 18 was used to analyze data. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The means were separated by the least significant difference (LSD) with P <0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 2 shows that the single cross hybrids RML-98/RL-105 and RML-95/RL-105 had the highest plant height (196.7 cm) while hybrid RML-32/RML-17 had the lowest plant height (162.7 cm). The maximum value of cob height was recorded in RML-85/RL-105 (119.33 cm) while the minimum value of it was recorded in RML-4/RML-17 (90.67 cm). Similarly, the highest value of days to 50% silking was given by RML-95/RML-96 (70.33 days) and the lowest value of it in Bio-9681 (49 days). There was variation in days to 50% tasseling, the highest days to 50% tasseling was found in RML-95/RML-96 (65.67 days) and the lowest value of it was found in Bio-9681 (45 days). The highest anthesis-silking interval (ASI) was recorded in RML-4/RML-17 and RML-4/NML-2 (5 day), while Bio-9681 and CP 666 had the lowest ASI (4.0 days). There was huge variation in number of kernels per row, the highest number of kernels per row was found in RML-5/RL-105 and RML-98/RL-105 (36.33) whereas the lowest number of kernels per row (27) was found in Rajkumar. RML-85/RL-105 and RML-95/RL-105 had the highest number of kernel rows per cob (17.33) while Rajkumar had the lowest value of it (14). The highest cob length was recorded in RML-153/RL-105 (16.69 cm) while RML-115/RML-96 had the lowest cob length (12.81 cm). Similarly, the maximum cob diameter was found in RML-115/RML-96 (7.68 cm) whereas Rajkumar had the lowest cob diameter (4.8 cm). There was large variation was recorded in grain yield and test weight; RML-98/RL-105 produced the maximum grain yield and the highest test weight (6229 kg ha" 1and 395.7 g) while Rajkumar produced the lowest grain yield (4087 kg ha-1) and RML-32/RML-17 had the lowest test weight (4358.3 g). Among fourteen hybrids; nine hybrids viz. RML-98/RL-105, RML-4/NML-2, RML-95/RL-105, RML-4/RML-17, RML-5/RL-105, RML-
153/RL-105, RML-85/RL105, RML-115/RML-96 and RML-86/RML-96 had grain yield >5000 kg ha-1. Five hybrids namely Bioseed-9681, CP-666, RML-95/RML-96, RML-32/RML-17, Rajkumar, had produced yield between >4087 kg to <5000 kg ha-1.
Table 2 - Growth, yield and its attributing traits of single cross maize hybrids
Maize hybrids PH CH DTT DTS ASI CL CD NKR/C NK/R TW GY
RML-4/RML-17 172 90.67 56 61 5 15.93 7.667 16 33.67 375.7 5552
CP 666 165 95.33 46 50 4 14.23 5.2 14.67 26.33 335.3 4579
Bio-9681 171.7 98.33 45 49 4 14.33 5 14.67 27.33 344 4832
RML-95/RML-96 183.3 114.33 65.67 70.33 4.667 13.93 7.233 16 28.67 354 4528
RML-32/RML-17 162.7 94.33 65 69.67 4.667 15.8 7.133 15.33 33.67 347 4358
RML-86/RML-96 182.3 108.67 63.67 68 4.333 15.33 7.333 16.67 32 371 5154
RML-5/RL-105 189.3 105.33 59.33 64 4.667 16.5 7.2 16 36.33 374.7 5528
RML-95/RL-105 196.7 111.33 55.67 60.33 4.667 15.79 7.633 17.33 35 370.7 5904
RML-115/RML-96 184.3 111.33 58.67 63 4.333 12.81 7.68 16.67 31.33 381.7 5294
RML-153/RL-105 186 115.33 55 59.67 4.667 16.69 7.28 16 34.67 380.7 5522
RML-85/RL- 105 186.7 119.33 54 58.67 4.667 15.27 7.393 17.33 35 363.7 5474
RML-98/RL-105 196.7 115.33 62 66.33 4.333 16.4 7.48 16 36.33 395.7 6229
Rajkumar 176 96.67 46 49.33 3.333 13.5 4.833 14 27 347.3 4087
RML-4/NML-2 163 99.67 59.33 64.33 5 15.33 7.433 16.67 32.67 351.7 6073
Grand mean 178.5 103.7 56.55 60.76 4.25 14.83 6.54 15.80 31.25 348.6 4932
F test ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns *
LSD(0.05) 18.2 14.4 10.1 9.7 4.2 2.1 2.7 8.4 3.8 12.2 39.1
CV % 7.8 8.1 12.4 11.6 13.3 8.7 3.8 5.3 7.6 7.2 21.2
*=Significant at 0.05 level of significance, ns=Not significant.PH= plant height (cm), CH= cob height (cm), DTT= days to 50% tasseling, DTS= days to 50% silking, ASI= anthesis silking interval, TW= test weight (1000 kernel weight) (g), CL= cob length (cm), CD= cob diameter (cm), NKR/C= number of kernel rows per cob, NK/R= number of kernels per row, GY= grain yield (kg).
The single cross hybrids viz., RML-98/RL-105(6229 kg ha-1) produced significantly the highest yield followed by RMl-4/NML-2 (6073 kg ha-1), RML-95/RL-105 (5904 kg ha-1) and RML-5/RL-105 (5528 kg ha-1), respectively. They produced grain yield > 5500 kg ha-1 , thus regarded as the best hybrids for commercial maize production. Koirala et al. (2013) found that the grain yield of hybrids ranged from 3810 kg ha-1 to 9897 kg ha-1. Grain yield was substantial, and these findings matched those of Akbar et al. (2009), who evaluated and identified high-yielding maize varieties among the various genotypes studied. Prasai et al. (2015) observed significant differences in grain production among maize varieties, and our findings are consistent with their findings.
Correlation coefficient of yield components and grain yield per plant had positively the highest and highly significant correlation with cob diameter, number of kernels per row, cob height, plant height, cob length, test weight and number of kernel rows per cob. Correlation among the different traits of maize genotypes along with checks is presented in (Table 3). Plant height was highly significantly correlated to cob height. Plant height had weak significant positive correlation to days to 50% silking and days to 50% tasseling but strong correlation with anthesis silking interval, test weight, cob length, cob diameter, number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row and grain yield. Cob height had weak significant positive correlation to days to 50% silking and 50% tasseling but strong correlation with anthesis silking interval, test weight, cob length, cob diameter, number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row and grain yield. Days to 50% tasseling was strong correlation with days to silking, anthesis silking interval, cob diameter, weak but positive correlation with number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per cob, test weight and grain yield. Days to 50% silking was strong correlation with anthesis silking interval, cob diameter, test weight and grain yield but positive or weak correlation with cob length, number of kernels per row, number of kernel row per cob. Anthesis silking interval was strong correlation with cob length, cob diameter, number of kernels per row, number of kernel row per cob, test weight and grain yield. Cob length was strong correlated with cob diameter, number of kernel row per cob, test weight and grain yield. Cob diameter was strong correlated with number of kernels per row, number of kernel row per cob, test weight and grain yield. Number of kernel row was strongly correlated with number of kernel rows per cob, test weight and grain yield. Number of kernel rows per cob was strong correlated with test weight and grain yield. Test weights were strong correlated with the grain yield. The
grain yield of tested genotypes was strong correlated with all traits except day to 50% tasseling was weak but positive correlation. Positive correlation coefficient among traits showed that the changes of two variables were same direction i.e., high value of one variable was associated with high value of another and vice versa. However, the most yield determinative traits were cob length followed by cob diameter, number of kernels per row, number of kernel row per cob, test weight, plant height and cob height.
Cob length was strongly correlated with cob diameter (0.885', no of kernel per row (0.812), number of kernel row per cob (0.951), test weight (0.870) and grain yield (0.916). Similarly, Cob diameter was strongly correlated with number of kernels per row (0.870), number of kernel rows per cob (0.934), test weight (0.922) and grain yield (0.946). The number of kernels per row was strongly correlated with number of kernel rows per cob (0.915), test weight (0.781) and grain yield (0.847). The number of kernel rows per cob was strongly correlated with test weight (0.902) and grain yield (0.942). Similarly, test weight was strongly correlated with grain yield (0.968). Similar results were also reported by Ram Reddy et al. (2011), and Satyanarayana et al. (1990). Compton (1979) showed that plant height and cob height of maize populations were positively correlated with grain yield. Nkomo et al. (2013) showed that tasseling is one of the most important stages in maize production. Saleem et al. (2002) reported similar findings for number of kernel row per cob. Similarly (Hallauer and Miranda, 1988) reported strong positive correlation between plant height and cob height and between kernel weight and yield. Dagne (2008) also showed that the positive and highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations between grain yield and plant height, cob height, cob diameter, cob length, number of kernels per row and thousand kernel weight. Grain yield showed highly significant positive correlation with plant height (Sharma et al., 1982; Singh et al., 1991), cob length, cob circumference (Appadurai and Nagarajan,1975, Alok Kumar et al., 1999), number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row (Appadurai & Nagarajan, 1975), 100-grain weight (Saha & Mukherjee, 1985; Tyagi et al., 1988,).
Table 3 - Pearson correlation coefficient of grain yield and yield components of single cross
maize hybrids
Traits PH CH DTT DTS ASI CL CD NK/R NKR/C TW GY
PH 1.0
CH 0.940** 1.0
DTT 0.381* 0.403* 1.0
DTS 0.428* 0.446* 0.995** 1.0
ASI 0.632** 0.599** 0.579** 0.655** 1.0
CL 0.834** 0.838** 0.289ns 0.348* 0.655** 1.0
CD 0.868** 0.871** 0.535** 0.594** 0.804** 0.885** 1.0
NK/R 0.842** 0.890** 0.433* 0.473* 0.605** 0.812** 0.870** 1.0
NKR/C 0.902** 0.892** 0.393* 0.448* 0.695** 0.951** 0.934** 0.915** 1.0
TW 0.905** 0.843** 0.432* 0.498** 0.810** 0.870** 0.922** 0.781** 0.902** 1.0
GY 0.924** 0.890** 0.398* 0.465* 0.794** 0.916** 0.946** 0.847** 0.942** 0.968** 1.0
**=Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level, *=Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level, ns= Not significant at 0.05 level, PH= plant height (cm), CH= cob height (cm), DTS= days to 50% silking, DTT= days to 50% tasseling, ASI= anthesis silking interval, TW= test weight (1000 kernel weight) (g), CL= cob length (cm), CD= cob diameter (cm), NKR/C= number of kernel row per cob, NK/R= number of kernels per row, GY= grain yield (kg).
Therefore, the traits viz., plant height, cob height, cob length, cob diameter, number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per cob and test weight plays vital role to increase the grain yield of maize.
CONCLUSION
The grain yield of evaluated maize hybrids was strongly correlated with all traits viz cob length, cob diameter, number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per cob, test weights; these traits might bring an improvement in grain yield. There were highly significant variations among the evaluated hybrids for grain yield and other yield attributing traits which indicated presence of high magnitude of genetic variations. The single cross hybrids RML-98/RL-105 produced the highest yield followed by RMl-4/NML-2, RML-95/RL-105 and RML-
5/RL-105. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that farmers should cultivate these hybrids for achieving higher maize production.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express their gratitude and sincere thanks to National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal for providing research fund, plant materials, field and other technical supports to carry out this study.
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