A study of heritability, genetic advance and some genetic parameters of maize genotypes at different plant densities

Abstract

The results of the analysis of variance showed that the mean squares of the genotypes were significant for all the traits under study at the probability level of 1%, and the presence of such significant differences between the genotypes under study is necessary to study their genetic behavior in order to select the best and improve them. SAGUNTO genotype plants were characterized by the highest values, with an average of 479.400 g and 25.345 ton. ha^-1, respectively, for individual plant grain yield and total grain yield. The plants cultivated at the plant density of 44444 plant.ha-¹ were characterized by the highest yield per single plant of grain amounted to 371.810 g, and the plants grown at the plant density 66667 plant.ha^-1 had the highest total grain yield of 17.173 ton. ha^-1. The heritability values ​​in the broad sense were high forall the traits except it was medium for number of ears per plant  , while the values ​​of expected genetic advance as a percentage of the average trait were high for total ear weight , no. of grains/ear, individual plant grain yield and total grain yield and oil ratio.