Variation and correlation analysis of main ear traits in maize LIU Di1, LAN Jin-hao2,3

In order to made clear the genetic variation and correlation of the main ear traits in maize, with the method of randomized block arrangement, field experiment was conducted to analyse the variation and correlation of 9 main traits in the maize 287 F2-3 populations derived from cross HN4*QN17 with Excel2003 and DPS2000. The results showed that the tremendous transgressive segregation for all ear traits was observed. The variation coefficient of ear traits were consistant in two experimental points (Sanya Hainan and Qingdao Shandong). The variation coefficient in size order was bald tip length>grain weight per ear>row grains>ear length>weight of hundred grains>ear rows>cob diameter>ear thickness>ration of grain weight to ear weight. There was significantly positive correlation between grain weight per ear and other traits except for bald tip length, the relative coefficient in size order was row grains>ear length>ear thickness>weight of hundred grains>cob diameter>ration of grain weight to ear weight>ear rows. The coefficients of variation were higher in bald tip length, grain weight per ear, row grains and ear length, which supplied more selection space in segregation generation.There was significantly positive correlation between bald tip length, ear length and cob diameter, ear thickness indicating that there was certain difficulty in improving these synchronized traits in breeding practice. There was significantly positive correlation between ear rows and row grains, ear thickness, indicating that it is practicable to improve these synchronized traits in breeding practice. Variation and correlation analysis of main ear traits provided certain theory reference for the second cycle line breeding.