CHOICE OF THE BEST HYBRIDS IN CORN (Zea mays L.) BY EVALUATION OF SELECTION INDICES

Selection index is a useful tool for indirect selection in different types of corn and could help the breeders by increasing expected responses than by using direct selection. To establish a selection index in corn, seven hybrids namely SC 108, SC 301, SC 604, SC 647, SC 704, SC 711 and TWC 647 were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Fifty morphological traits were recorded at three plant growth stage (bearings of 50% tassels, silk drying and complete maturity of grains). Path analysis revealed that ear height had the highest direct effect on grain yield. The application of the selection indices revealed that simultaneous selections based on predictor variables of path analysis of grain yield and the use of their genotypic direct path coefficients as economic values could provide suitable selection index for population improvement. Based on the ranking hybrids by selection indices, the SC647 and SC704 hybrids were identified as superior hybrids are suitable for cultivation.