Principal Component Analysis in Inbred of Maize (Zea mays L.) in a Diallel Cross

Abstract

The Genetic diversity provides the capacity for plants to meet changing environments. Multivariate analysis is the most popular approach  for genetic variability estimation to study patterns of variation and their genetic relationships. The objectives of the study  were: (i) To assess the extent of genetic diversity in maize through Principle Component Analysis (PCA), (ii) To assess the relationship  between grain yield and yield related traits of maize genotypes. Maize inbred lines were crossed in a full diallel fashion producing twenty  hybrids. The hybrids and the inbred parents were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated 3 times in 2  locations viz: in the ATBU Research Farm and in the farmers’ field in Misau as well in the Bauchi state in the 2019 rainy season. The PCA  revealed that, 5 vectors accounted for 88.40 % and 90.30 % of the total variability produced by all the traits under study in Bauchi and  Misau, respectively. The first canonical vector PCI accounted for 38.90 % and 40.80 % of the total variability followed by second vector PCII  which accounted for 22.30 % and 21.90 % of total variability in Bauchi and Misau, respectively. On the other hand, the third vector  PCIII accounted for 16.10 % and 18.40 % of the total variance while PCIV and PCV accounted for 6.00 %, 5.30 % and 5.20 %, 3.80 % of the  total variability in Bauchi and Misau, respectively. Days to 50% tasseling, days to 50 % silking, anthesis silking interval, cob diameter, cob  length followed by cob weight/plant, number of ear/plant, kernel weight/plant and yield/plant in that order are the major contributors to  the total divergence suggesting their importance in maize improvement. Attention should be given to days to 50 % tasseling, days to 50%  silking, anthesis silking interval, cob diameter, cob length in the improvement of maize by breeders and geneticists and that the  traits mentioned correlated positively with grain yield and therefore need to be given due consideration in grain yield improvement.