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Environment and Ecology 40 (4C) : 2527—2531, October—December 2022

ISSN 0970-0420

Trait Association and Principal Component

Analysis in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines

Pradhan P., Thapa B., Ghosh A., Subba V., Kundagrami S.

Received 7 August 2022, Accepted 14 September 2022, Published on 25 November 2022

ABSTRACT The first three Principal Components accounted for

81.95% of the variation in the measured traits. The
Thirty-three maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were critical traits that were the major contributors to total
evaluated for trait association and Principal Com- variation are grain yield per plant, number of grains
ponent Analysis. The genetic and phenotypic cor- per cob, Days to 50% tasselling, Days to 50% silking
relations of twelve traits were studied to know the and Number of grain rows/cob. The material studied
yield-contributing traits having true associations with is diversified in nature and can be employed in the
grain yield per plant and also to determine their con- breeding program to create better genotypes and as
tribution towards the total variability in these inbred parents in hybrids.
lines. Single cob weight, cob length, number of grains
per row and number of grains per cob were found Keywords Trait association, Principal component
to have a highly significant and positive association analysis, Genotypic, Phenotypic correlation, Hy-
with grain yield per plant at both the genotypic and bridization.
phenotypic levels, indicating selection for these traits
would be effective in improving grain yield per plant. INTRODUCTION

Maize (Zea mays L.) belonging to the family Poaceae

is the third leading cereal crop in the world. It provides
food and nutritional security in some of the world’s
poorest regions especially in Africa, Asia and Latin
America, making it one of the most important eco-
Pradhan P. 1, Ghosh A. 3, Kundagrami S. 5 nomic and staple food crops. According to Shiferaw
5
Professor et al. (2011), maize, together with rice and wheat, is
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Uttar Banga Krishi a crucial source of at least 30% of the dietary calories
Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India
consumed by more than 4.5 billion people in around
Thapa B. 2* 94 developing nations. Because it has the largest ge-
2
Assistant Professor, Regional Research Station, Hill Zone,
netic production potential of any other cereal, maize is
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya , Kalimpong 734301, West
Bengal, India regarded as the queen of cereals worldwide. It is one
of the crops with the broadest range of adaptability.
Subba V. 4
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricul-
Maize, which is the only food cereal crop that can
tural Science, University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India be grown in different seasons, requires a moderate
climate for growth. It grows well in loamy soils but
Email: [email protected]
*Corresponding author a surplus of poor rains adversely affects yields as well
as quality. It is grown across more than 160 million
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ha in 166 different nations, where there is a greater 17 from the Directorate of Maize Research (DMR),
variety of soil, climate, biodiversity and management New Delhi. In the evaluation trial, each inbred was
techniques. It has also the potential to be bred (by grown within the plot of single rows of 3m long with
benefitting from its hybrid vigor) and the ability to three replications and row-to-row spacing of 60 cm
develop new varieties with superior traits. Maize and plant-to-plant spacing of 20 cm respectively. Rec-
crop plays an important role in the world economy ommended package of agronomic practices and plant
and is a valuable ingredient in manufactured items protection measures were adopted. Before flowering,
that affect a large proportion of the world population, each row of inbred lines was covered separately with
Alvi et al. (2003). muslin cloth nets to prevent outcrossing. Harvesting
was carried out from the last week of April 2018.
Correlation analysis can assist to determine cer- Data were recorded on five randomly selected plants
tain traits to be used in the improvement of complex excluding border plants from each replication for
chakra characteristics such as yield, Joshi (2005). twelve traits like Days to tasseling (50%), Days to
The correlation coefficient is one of the important silking (50%), Plant height (cm), Ear height (cm),
biometrical tools for formulating a selection index Cob length (cm), Cob diameter (cm), Number of grain
as it reveals the strength of the relationship among rows/cob, Number of grains/row, Number of grains/
the group of characters. Genotypic and phenotypic cob, 100-grain weight (g), Single cob weight, Grain
correlation coefficients tell us the association between yield/plant. The data collected for all quantitative
and among two or more characters. A significant traits were subjected to analysis of correlation and
association suggests that such characters could principal component analysis for which all the traits
be improved simultaneously. Correlation studied were used for calculation except single cob weight.
between yield and yield components and between The analysis was carried out using the software Sta-
yield components themselves is a prerequisite to tistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0
planning a meaningful breeding program, Ahmad package Levesque (2007).
and Saleem (2003). Principal Component Analysis
(PCA) is better utilized for studying the diversity RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
among the genotypes in various crops. The number
of variables is reduced through Principal Component The genetic and phenotypic correlations of the twelve
(PC) analysis to linear functions known as canonical traits under study and the contributions of genetic and
vectors, which account for the majority of the varia- environmental factors to their associations have been
tion created by the traits under investigation. Based given in (Tables 1 - 2). In the current study higher
on estimations of genetic diversity, genotypes will be genotypic correlation coefficients were observed
evaluated, characterized and classified to help find than phenotypic values indicating a strong intrinsic
varied parental lines that may be employed in hybrid association reduced at the phenotypic level due to
breeding to create prospective hybrids or varieties. significant environmental effects. Bhuisal et al. (2017)
Considering the aforementioned circumstances, the and Mahesh et al. (2013) also reported similar results.
current investigation was carried out by including
inbred lines from different sources. For the majority of the traits, the phenotypic
correlation coefficients were typically lower than the
MATERIALS AND METHODS genotypic correlation coefficients. The low phenotyp-
ic correlation may be caused by the environment’s
The experiment was conducted during 1st week of altering influence on the genetic level of the asso-
December 2017 at the Experimental Farm of the ciated traits Alake et al. (2008). When phenotypic
University of Calcutta at Baruipur, South 24 Parga- correlation exceeds genotypic correlation, it means
nas. The material for the present study comprised 33 that the environment has a positive influence sort of
maize inbred lines among which sixteen of the inbred interaction in addition to genes, Wali et al. (2012).
lines were obtained from the International Maize and
Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), India and Grain yield per plant was found to have a highly
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Table 1. Genotypic (Upper values) and Phenotypic (Lower values) correlation coefficient among grain yield and its components in
thirty three inbred lines of maize. ** and * Denotes 1% and 5% Level of significance respectively.

Traits
Days to Days to Plant Ear Cob Cob No. of No. of No. of 100 Single Grain
tasseling silking height height length dia- grain grains/ grains/ Grain cob yield/
(50%) (50%) (cm) (cm) (cm) meter rows/ row cob weight weight plant
(cm) cob (g) (g) (g)

Days to tasseling 1.00 0.89** -0.22 -0.53 -0.68 -0.72 -0.30 -0.81 -0.73 -0.42 -0.76 -0.67
(50%) 0.79** -0.22 -0.33 -0.24 -0.33 -0.21 -0.44 -0.43 -0.32 -0.48 -0.47
Days to silking 1.00 -0.11 -0.42 -0.43 -0.70 -0.44 -0.69 -0.65 -0.27 -0.64 -0.52
(50%) -0.10 -0.19 -0.23 -0.33 -0.30 -0.44 -0.42 -0.23 -0.41 -0.38
Plant height (cm) 1.00 0.82** 0.52** 0.22* -0.11 0.36** 0.34** 0.39** 0.45** 0.66**
0.70** 0.31** 0.34** 0.13 0.26** 0.31** 0.22* 0.37** 0.43**
Ear height (cm) 1.00 0.62** 0.47** 0.09 0.53** 0.53** 0.43** 0.71** 0.86**
0.37** 0.41** 0.23* 0.38** 0.41** 0.26** 0.50** 0.54**
Cob length (cm) 1.00 0.47** 0.04 0.86* 0.76** 0.34** 0.83** 0.88**
0.43** 0.22* 0.75*** 0.67** 0.21** 0.66** 0.65**
Cob diameter(cm) 1.00 0.63** 0.75** 0.86** 0.23* 0.87** 0.73**
0.61** 0.60** 0.64** 0.12 0.65** 0.54**
No. of grain rows/cob 1.00 0.29** 0.66** -0.44 0.29** 0.22*
0.35** 0.63** -0.31 0.31** 0.27**
No. of grains/row 1.00 0.91** 0.29** 0.95** 0.87**
0.91** 0.21* 0.88** 0.80**
No. of grains/cob 1.00 0.06 0.87** 0.81**
0.04 0.82** 0.79**
100 grain weight (g) 1.00 0.49** 0.50**
0.36** 0.39**
Single cob weight (g) 1.00 0.94**
0.85**
Grain yield/plant (g) 1.00

significant and positive association with traits includ- tween days to 50% tasselling and days to 50% silking,
ing single cob weight, cob length, number of grains as well as between ear height with plant height (Troy-
per row and number of grains per cob both the geno- er and Larkin 1985, Selvaraj and Nagarajan 2011, Dar
typic and phenotypic levels. Most of the traits yielded et al. 2016). Similar results are supported by Ojoet et
positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic al. (2006). Rafiq et al. (2010) for plant height, number
correlation with grain yield per plant except days of grains per row and number of grain rows per ear,
to tasseling (50%) and days to silking (50%) which Alake et al. (2008) for kernel rows per ear, kernels
attributed negative and significant correlation with a per row, Wali et al. (2012) for number of kernels per
comparable report by Bhuisal et al. (2017). Days to row, plant height and ear circumference and Bello et
tasseling (50%) and Days to silking (50%) showed al. (2012) for kernel number per cob, kernel number
positive and significant correlation with each other per row and cob diameter. Hence, selection for the
corroborating with the findings of Taiwo et al. (2020). traits of single cob weight, number of grains/row,
A significant positive correlation was observed be- number of grains/cob, cob length, cob diameter, ear
height, plant height, 100 grain weight and number
Table 2. PCA of different agro-morphological characters with of grains rows/cob will increase the grain yield per
factor loadings in maize inbred lines. plant of maize. The majority of yield-related traits
were positively and significantly correlated with grain
Parameters Components
yield per plant, suggesting that grain output may be
1 2 3
increased by simultaneously selecting for these traits.
Eigen values 5.406 2.071 1.539
% of variance 49.145 18.824 13.99 Brown and Caligari (2008) reported that high
Cumulative % 49.145 67.969 81.959
and favorable correlations between traits like plant
2530

height and ear height as well days to tasseling and

silking suggested that each pair of traits might be
regulated by genes that are closely related, the same
or similar genes, or genes with pleiotropic effects on
these traits. Hence, selection for these traits could be
used to indirectly select grain yield.

Grain yield is an example of a quantitative at-

tribute that expresses itself closely to multiple other
traits. Typically, changes in the expression of many
other traits follow changes in the expression of one
trait. As a result, the associations found in the current Fig. 1. Scree test for component analysis.
study can be used to choose traits that directly and
significantly affect grain yield, Aman et al. (2020). The eleven Principal Components utilized in this
investigation are plotted in this exhibit. The plot
Table 3 lists the eigen values, relative variance begins with the first PC and falls steeply downward
percentages and factor loading of the various char- until gradually becoming roughly horizontal. The
acters under investigation. Canonical vectors, which maximum number of components to extract is thought
make up most of the variables in canonical variate to be indicated by where the curve first starts to flatten
analysis, are linear functions that account for most out. As can be observed in Figs. 1-3 Principal Com-
of the variance caused by these characters. ponents were taken into account. As a result, these
findings show the necessity of using several choice
The first three PCs accounted for 81.95% of the factors when determining the number of components
variation in the measured agronomic traits. The first to be kept. The principal factor analysis revealed
PC, PC1, explained 49.14% of the variation, making that grain yield per plant, days to 50% tasselling and
the first three PCs important. Grain yield per plant days to 50% silking as major contributors to the total
and number of grains per cob was the most significant divergence with similar results reported by Ahmed et
traits in PC1. In the second and third, PCs explained al. (2010), Solanke et al. (2013), Sandeep et al. (2017)
18.82% and 13.99% of the variation, respectively and Swapnil et al. (2021).
where Days to 50% tasselling and Days to 50% silking
in PC2 and Number of grain rows/cob and Days to CONCLUSION
50% silking in PC3 which were the most critical traits.
The information generated from the above study on
Furthermore, Fig. 1 also displays the scree plot. character association suggested that the traits of single
cob weight, number of grains/row, number of grains/
Table 3. Estimates of principal component analysis of maize in-
cob and cob length of maize inbred lines could be
breds and factor loadings of major three PCs by various characters.
considered as target traits to improve grain yield per
Characters Eigenvectors plant as selections for one would result in simultane-
1 2 3
ous positive results to other as they are significantly
DT 50% 0.165 0.922 0.311 and positively correlated. Since the majority of the
DS 50% 0.090 0.931 0.309
inbred traits displayed a wide range of diversity,
PH (cm) 0.772 0.228 -0.315
EH (cm) 0.834 0.213 -0.242 the knowledge gained will be useful in developing
CL (cm) 0.828 -0.017 -0.177 the selection approach that will be employed in the
CD (cm) 0.792 -0.072 0.170 breeding program to increase yield.
GR/C 0.545 -0.210 0.699
G/R 0.890 -0.212 0.137
G/C 0.896 -0.236 0.240 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
100 GW (g) 0.246 0.311 -0.729
GY/P (g) 0.902 -0.09 -0.178 The International Maize and Wheat Improvement
 2531

Center (CIMMYT) in India and the Directorate of in press. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9651537.

Maize Research (DMR) are thanked by the authors Joshi BK (2005) Correlation, regression and path coefficient analy-
sis for some yield components in common and Tartary buck-
for supplying the seeds and their assistance during wheat in Nepal. Fagopyrum 22: 77-82.
the experiment. It is properly acknowledged that the Mahesh N, Wali MC, Gowda MVC, Motagi BN, Uppinal NF
University of Calcutta’s, Institute of Agricultural (2013) Correlation and path analysis of yield and kernel
Science and Experimental Farm assisted in carrying components in maize. Kar J Agric Sci 26 (2): 306-307.
Ojo DK, Omikunle OA, Oduwaye OA, Ajala MO, Ogunbayo SA
out the exploration and field experiments. (2006) Heritability, character correlation and path coefficient
analysis among six inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.).Wor
J Agric Sci 2(3): 352-358.
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