A Path-Coefficient Analysis of Dry Matter Yield and Some Agronomic Characters in Grain Maize Hybrids When Used for Silage Production

Abstract

Dry matter yield of grain maize hybrids when used for silage production is influenced by several agronomic
characters and also by the ear ratio (ER) and stalk ratio (SR). Path-coefficient analysis were calculated to study the
relationships among dry matter (DM) yield and, yield components. Thirteen genotypes of maize being improved for
grain production were grown during the year 1996, 1997 and 1998 with two sowing pattern (the first crop and the second
crop) at Tokat province in Turkey. There was year-to-year variation among the DM yield and the other traits at both first
crop and second crop. Mainly ER and secondly SR have direct or indirect effects on DM yield. The direct and indirect
effects of the leaf ratio (LR) and plant height (PH) on DM yield were important in some years. However, the best yield of
silage was not obtained from hybrids with a high proportion of ER or SR. Moreover, the relationships between the DM
yield and the agronomic characteristics were not adequate to permit reliable selection of hybrids for silage production
based on the ER and SR. The findings of this study support the need for separate evaluation trials for corn grown for
silage production as opposed to grain production.