Analysis of correlations in Cuban maize populations

Main Article Content

M. Martínez

Abstract

An analysis of Pearson´s correlations (r) present
in Cuban maize populations was performed in this research
study. Consequently, correlations were found in most of the
populations studied, such as those recorded between grain
number per row (NoGH) and cob length (LM), mean cob
diameter (DMM) and row number (NoH), as well as grain
number per cob (NoGM) and grain number per row (NoGH).
There are other specific correlations of each population studied.
Significant correlations were also proved when comparing
morphological characters and those of nutritional quality, which
enable to make selection indirectly in breeding programs. In
this sense, the highest correlations are firstly the ones showing
row number and tryptophan (Trp) content in a negative manner
whereas positively with sodium (Na) content. Correlations
between quality characters are low but biologically important,
showing what nutrient contents are directly or indirectly related
among them. It is important to remark that the content of both
essential amino acids (lysine and tryptophane) greatly
determining maize protein quality has a very significant and
positive correlation to each other in this population, which
implies that increasing one amino acid content is directly
equivalent to increasing the other one or vice versa, in such a
way that protein quality becomes considerably higher or lower.

Article Details

How to Cite
Martínez, M. (2012). Analysis of correlations in Cuban maize populations. Cultivos Tropicales, 31(2), 82–91. Retrieved from https://ediciones.inca.edu.cu/index.php/ediciones/article/view/104
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Original Article