Abstract

The 42 selected maize landraces of Manipur were analyzed to study genetic variability and correlation for the 8 quantitative traits and a qualitative trait. All the character understudied had genetic variability and some characters have a significant correlation. To confirm does kernel color have the direct relation in the amount of total carotenoid concentration separate correlation studies between total carotenoid (quantitative traits) and kernel color (qualitative trait) was analyzed. The results revealed significant genetic variation among the maize landraces of Manipur for all the characters understudied and there exist a significant positive correlation between 100 kernel weight with plant height, ear height with plant height and growing degree unit to silking with growing degree unit to tasseling whereas negative correlation exists between ear height and total carotenoid. Estimation of total carotenoid concentration was done with the value ranging from 11.48 μg/ g to 41.40 μg/ g and a mean of 19.78 μg/ g. Highest carotenoid concentration was recorded in landraces accession code CAUCH 66. No correlation was found between kernel total carotenoid concentration and kernel color. Total carotenoid and Kernel color correlation studies by both the method of Pearson correlation and Spearman’s rank correlation gave the same valid result. The varying degree of total carotenoid comparing to kernel color is due to the involvement of several enzymes other than phytoene synthase which gives yellow color and controls the ratelimiting step in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway.

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