Association and path coefficient analysis among morphophysiological parameters and yield in new sweet corn inbred lines and hybrids

Sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) is a globally significant crop known for its unique biochemical profile and nutritional value. However, a yield gap in production exists in semi-arid regions. The overall goal of this work was to evaluate high-yielding, adaptable genotypes in regions with limited precipitation. The work was conducted in a semi-arid environment in northwest Iran. The research utilized 10 new inbred lines and 10 hybrids in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2023 growing season. The study evaluated a diverse range of morphophysiological and yield traits. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the studied genotypes, affirming the relevance of inbred lines and hybrids in sweet corn improvement. Based on the mean of parameters, five sweet corn inbred lines, namely, “SMRT-1,” “SWRY,” “SMRT-3,” “SPWRHDS,” and “SMRT-4,” along with two promising hybrids, “Merit-5 × Merit-3” and “Powerhouse × Merit-5,” exhibited superior responses in terms of all studied morphophysiological parameters as well as yield. The significant positive correlations found in this study and the high direct and indirect effects on yield measured in path analysis underscore the potential for the simultaneous selection of different traits in sweet corn breeding programs. The outcomes offer important insights into the relationships between traits and yield, paving the way for developing high-yielding sweet corn genotypes adapted to semi-arid regions. The implications of this research extend to regions with similar environmental conditions, offering the promise of enhanced food security and economic development through improved sweet corn production.