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Selection of Drought Tolerant Maize Hybrids Using Path Coefficient Analysis and Selection Index
Abdalla Dao1, Jacob Sanou1, Edgar V S Traore1
1Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA), BP 910, Bobo, Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences : PJBS
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Selecting drought-tolerant maize hybrids requires evaluating secondary traits like Ear Per Plant (EPP) and Ear Aspect (EASP) alongside grain yield. These traits, influenced by genetics and environment, are crucial for improving crop resilience in water-stressed conditions.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Breeding
- Genetics
Background:
- Direct selection for maize grain yield is insufficient in drought-prone areas due to environmental variability and genotype x environment interactions.
- Secondary traits are vital for indirect selection of maize grain yield, with their effectiveness depending on genetic variance, heritability, and correlation with yield.
- Understanding these relationships is key to developing drought-tolerant maize varieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most effective secondary traits for indirect selection of maize grain yield under drought stress.
- To evaluate testcross hybrids for drought tolerance using grain yield and various secondary traits.
- To develop a selection index for identifying superior drought-tolerant maize hybrids.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 48 testcross hybrids and 7 checks under well-watered and water-stressed conditions over two years.
- Measured grain yield and secondary traits, including Ear Per Plant (EPP), Ear Aspect (EASP), Ear Height (EHT), Tassel Size (TS), and Plant Recovery (PR).
- Utilized path coefficient analysis and a selection index incorporating Relative Decrease in Yield (RDY) to assess trait importance and hybrid performance.
Main Results:
- Broad-sense heritability for grain yield and EPP increased under drought stress.
- EASP and EHT showed significant direct effects on grain yield (negative and positive, respectively).
- EPP, TS, and PR indirectly increased yield via EASP, while EHT's direct positive effect and indirect negative effect via plant height highlighted the importance of the Ear-to-Plant Height Ratio (R-EPH).
Conclusions:
- EPP, TS, PR, EASP, and R-EPH were identified as critical secondary traits for maize breeding under drought stress.
- A selection index combining these traits and RDY effectively classified hybrids for drought performance.
- The study emphasizes that optimal trait selection and procedures may vary with germplasm, environment, and statistical methods, necessitating adaptive breeding strategies.
