Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies in Selected Maize (zea mays l.) Genotypes during the Seedling Stage in Jos, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the extent of genetic variability and diversity for 
drought tolerance traits present in 24 maize genotypes in order to aid parents in 
selecting superior recombinant F1 genotypes. Six seeds of each maize genotype 
were sown in 45cm x 10cm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes filled with a loamy 
soil potting mixture. Before seeding, moisture was kept at field capacity. 
Seedlings were thinned to four per pot after emergence and arranged in a 
Complete Randomized Design that was replicated three times. The experiment 
was adequately watered daily for the first 15 days, after which watering was 
discontinued. Morphophysiological data on seedling water use efficiency was 
collected and analyzed. Before conducting ANOVA, data normality and variance 
homogeneity were assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests, 
respectively. For all traits studied, there were significant differences between 
genotypes. Cluster analysis using Morphophysiological traits separated 
genotypes into three distinct groups while Pearson correlation method was used 
for the correlation analysis. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of 
variation revealed a high degree of variability. Very high genetic advance and 
heritability values were observed. The results indicate sufficient genetic 
variability and diversity among the genotypes. Integrated analysis of genetic 
parameters and trait performance identified several promising parental lines for 
drought tolerance improvement, including KIERKIER, TZM-DAFFO–L, KAF
16, MARA AURE–W, SAMMAZ-52, OBA SUPER II, and PVA–SYN lines. These 
genotypes hold potential for use in future drought-tolerant crop improvement 
programs.