Multiple regression analysis of prolificacy and effects on yield in a synthetic population of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In order to evaluate a synthetic population, as a source breeding material and the applied method of selection, it is necessary to consider not only standard methods of visual estimation and testing of combining abilities, but also interrelation of grain yield and its components. Multiple regression analysis was applied in this study in order to determine both the effects of certain traits on grain yield in the prolific synthetic population ZP SynP1(M)Cn and changes of correlation coefficients after three cycles of phenotypic recurrent selection (FRS) with control of both parents. Coefficients of determination reached high values at the genetic level indicating that all essential components of grain yield (number of silks per plant, number of seed set ears, number of kernels per plant and 1000-kernel weight) were included in the investigation. It is obvious that the effects of recurrent selection (FRS) for greater number of ears were positively correlated to other components and that the number of ears per plant, with its direct impact on grain yield, was one of the fundamental factors.