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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp9 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Genetic parameters, trait associations and path coefficient analysis of yield-related traits in maize (Zea mays L.) under heat stress conditions

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14499
Submitted
10 March 2026
Published
17-10-2026

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L., 2n = 20) is one of the most versatile and extensively cultivated crops worldwide, flourishing in diverse agro-climatic environments. Despite its wide adaptability, maize productivity is frequently compromised by heat stress, resulting in significant declines in grain yield. Keeping these facts in consideration, the present study was undertaken to evaluate genetic parameters, interrelationships among yield and yield-related traits and the direct and indirect effects of these traits on yield under heat stress, utilising 29 maize inbred lines during the 2016 growing season, employing a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The estimates of genetic parameters revealed that the trait grains per plant exhibited the highest genetic advance (GA) in conjunction with high heritability, followed by plant height and 500-grain weight. The association study revealed that both grains per plant and 500-grain weight were significantly and positively linked with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Moreover, characteristics including pollen viability, cell membrane thermo-stability, plant height and ear height exhibited a strong positive genotypic association with grain yield. The anthesis-silking period showed a substantial negative correlation with grain yield at the genotypic level. Path coefficient analysis indicated that grains per plant, 500-grain weight, shelling percentage, ear height, cell membrane thermo-stability, days to 50 % physiological maturity, days to 50 % anthesis and grain filling period exerted the most significant direct and positive phenotypic influences on grain yield. At the phenotypic level, number of grains per plant exerted the highest positive direct effect on grain yield, followed by 500-grain weight.

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