Different testers influence genetic correlational response in narrow-based maize population NSA15

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine correlations between grain yield and other morphological and agronomical traits in two groups of maize half-sib (HS) progenies. Progenies were obtained by crossing every S1 family with two unrelated inbred lines as testers, NS732 and NS27. Field trials with incomplete block design, with replicates within set were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at four locations. The following traits were observed: grain yield, ear length, kernel row number, kernel number per row, 1000-kernel weight, plant height, ear height, number of leaves above ear and grain moisture. Significant moderate strong negative correlation between grain yield and ear length was determined in HS1 progeny. High significant correlations occurred among plant and ear height in both HS and between plant height and number of leaves. Observed differences in levels of correlation imply significant influence of tester in each group on HS progeny.

Keywords

• correlations
• ears
• genetic correlations
• grain yield
• half-sib progenies
• height
• maize