Assessment of Genetic Variation and Heritability of Seedling Emergence Traits, and Association with Grain Yield Characteristics of some Tropical Maize Varieties representing different Breeding Eras
Abolusoro Stephen1; Sunday Ayodele Ige1, Omolaran Bello2 Aremu Charity1
1Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Landmark University PMB 1001, Omu-Aran,
2Department of Agronomy, Federal University Gashua, Nigeria.
ABSTRACTS
Ten tropical maize varieties were evaluated at two location during the cropping season of 2007 and 2008 to assess the genetic variation and heritability of seedling emergence traits, and association with grain yield characteristics. Genotypic relative to phenotype variation were higher for all traits. Variety DMRLSR-Y had highest 300 kernel weight (105.2g), but least grain yield and second to the least emergence percentage, indicates bigger kernel and highest kernel weight /cob but low plant stands. Genotypic and agronomic correlation analysis revealed positive associations (p < 0.01) between grain yield and emergence percentage (E%) and 300 kernel weight, however, anthesis-silking interval was negatively correlated with physiological maturity period and 300 kernel weight. Improvement of this variety for higher emergence percentage is therefore predicted for higher grain yield. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (GCV & PCV) were high for emergence percentage (41% and 45%) and grain yield (25% and 32%) respectively, suggesting that these characters are under the influence of genetic control. High heritability in broad sense coupled with maximum genetic advance recorded by emergence percentage (E%) and 300 kernel weight implying that phenotypic selection could identify superior genotypes for these traits.
Keywords: Genetic, Emergence, seedling, heritability, Era
