Understanding of some Morphological Parameters, Yield and Seed Quality Indices in Maize by Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

The performance of corn hybrids for efficiency and seed quality indices under specific crop conditions have an interest for improvement programs and agricultural practice. The study analyzed the performance of 20 corn hybrids created within ARDS Suceava, and tests in comparative crop within ARDS Lovrin. Morphological parameters of the ears (ear legth - El, row numner - RN, kernel number in row - KNR, ear weight - Ew, grains weight - GW, grains yield in ear - GYE), yield (Y, kg ha^-1) and seed quality (thoousand kernel weght - TKW, hectoliter weight - HW, protein - PRO, oil - OIL) have been determined. EW, GW and Y parameters had moderate variability, and the other parameters and indexes showed low variability. Variable correlation in intensity was recorded between the analyzed elements, and the yield presented strong correlation with EW, and GW, moderate correlation with KNR, and weak correlation with EL. According to multivariate analysis, four parameters were positioned in PC1 (GW, EW, KNR and Y), two parameters were positioned in PC2 (RN, PRO), two parameters were positioned in PC3 (OIL, TKW), a parameter was positioned in PC4 (GYE), and two parameters were independent positioned (EL, HW). Two parameters presented negative action in relation to the main components (RN in PC2, and TKW in PC3), and the other parameters presented positive action. Based on similarity, cluster analysis grouped corn hybrids in clusters (Coph.Corr. = 0.775). The SV13 hybrid was highlighted in independent position in the C1 cluster, with high performance for yield (Y_SV13 = 2756.88 ± 102.33 kg ha^-1). In descending order, in the ranking of the hybrids were positioned in the first positions (Upper Quartile), the hybrid SV13, followed by the hybrids SV1, SV8, SV7 and SV11.