LAUSR

The aim of this study was to estimate and quantify the degree of association between phytotechnical variables for simultaneous selection of maize genotypes suitable to produce baby corn. Seven genotypes were arranged in field in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Genetic parameters, simple, path and canonical correlations of phytotechnical variables were estimated. The variables production of marketable spikes, length of marketable spikes, final plant stand and plant height showed over 80% heritability and variation index higher than the unity, indicating that superior genotypes can be obtained and selection gains. Significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations were observed for production of marketable spikes, positive and of high magnitude with crude protein, dry mass and final plant stand. However, the direct effect between dry mass and production of marketable spikes was pronounced negative (-0.7085), whereas the phenotypic correlation was positive and showed medium magnitude (0.5343), which should be considered the indirect effect of final plant stand (0.7367), to take advantage of the gains of these two traits. The final plant stand is determinant to increase the production of dry matter and marketable spikes, both direct and indirectly. Given the data, we could identify promising variables for plant breeding which can be indicative to select maize genotypes for baby corn production.