Linear relationships between grain yield and tassel traits in maize

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the linear relationships between maize grain yield and tassel traits, identify traits for selection through direct and indirect effects over three crop years. Three experiments were performed with 20 maize genotypes in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Individual variance analysis showed significant genotype effects for all traits in the three crop years. However, a joint analysis demonstrated a significant genotype effect at 5% error probability for all traits, but branching space length. Furthermore, only the number of secondary branches and tassel branch number did not show significant genotype × crop year interaction. These results revealed a genotype differentiated behavior over the evaluated years, emphasizing the need to evaluate genotypes in more than one crop year. Based on phenotypic and genotypic correlation matrices and path analyses, the number of secondary tassel branches showed a positive linear relationship with grain yield; therefore, it can be used for the indirect selection of maize plants in breeding programs