Yield Related Traits Prioritization in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrid Breeding using Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

The present study comprises of 16 indigenous hybrids with two replications and evaluated in RCBD during Kharif 2023 to assess the hybrids for kernel yield and its associated traits at Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. Analysis of variance revealed that plant height (PHt), ear height (ErHt), ear length (ErL), ear girth (ErG), kernel/row (KeRo), kernel length (KeL), kernel width (KeW), kernel thickness (KeTh), 100 kernel weight (KW), shelling % (Shell) showed highly significant variation, kernel yield (Y) possessed significant variation while days to 50% silking (Silk) showed non-significant variation among 16 hybrids. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that highly significant association found between PHt and KeW (0.72**), KW and ErL (0.68**), KeRo and KeTh (-0.64**). Significant correlation found between KW and KeRo (0.53*), ErL and KeRo (0.52*), ErG and KeL (0.57*), KW and KeTh (-0.51*), KeL and KeTh (-0.53*). The first two components of PCA accounted for 53.2 % of the total variance. PCA biplots arrow for Y aligns in the direction of ErG and KeL that showed significant association for Y improvement. Arrow head of PHt and ErHt point in the same direction, suggesting both traits can be improved simultaneously but they are oriented opposite to Y. Similarly, arrows of ErG and KeL point in the same direction, connecting positive relation between them which can be improved together. Kernel yield (Y) can be enhanced by improving ErG and KeL. Finally, FH-1720 and YH-5427 exhibited superior performance in Y, KeL and ErG, making them promising candidates for achieving higher grain yield.