New corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids grouping based on morphological traits, yield and its components

Exiting diversity is the basis of selection in plant breeding programs. Diversity in morphological traits is studied by different methods of multivariate analysis. This study was conducted to estimate the genetical diversity of new corn hybrids based on the morphological traits. In this study, 40 new grain and forage corn hybrids with five commercial varieties as control treatments were planted in RCBD with three replications at Torogh Station of Khorasan Razavi Agriculture Research and Natural Resources Center, Iran during 2008. The results showed for the kernel yield and its components obtained three groups and two clusters with only one member. Furthermore, for forage yield and its components concluded five groups. Correlation coefficient between similarity matrix of forage and kernel yield cluster was very weak (0.15). Therefore, selection for grain yield of corn hybrids cannot be used simultaneously for forage yield