Potence Ratio and Path Coefficient Analysis for Some Quantitative Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids Developed in Syria

Twenty-eight hybrids were created during 2008 cropping season. hybrids were evaluated during 2009 croppingseason for eight agronomic traits at the agriculture scientific research center. homs, syria. the present workaimed at determining the potence ratio and path analysis for grain yield (ton/ hectare), ear length (cm), ear diameter(cm), 100-kernel weight (g), number of kernel per row, starch, protein and oil content in grain (%). the potenceratio for most traits exceeded +1 except for starch, protein and oil content in grain; their potence ratios ranged from -1 and +1 indicated that the partial and over-dominance gene effects played major role in the inheritance of starch,protein and oil content in grain while over-dominance gene effects were the most importance in inheritance of grainyield, ear length, ear diameter, 100-kernel weight and number of kernel per row. results showed that grain yieldcorrelated positively and significantly correlated with ear diameter (r=0.592**), oil content in grain (r=0.337**), 100-kernel weight (r=0.293**) and ear length (r=0.222**). the path coefficient analysis estimates indicated that eardiameter, oil content in grain and ear length had high positive direct effects on grain yield indicating that indirectselection for these traits could lead to direct increase in grain yield.