Determination of discriminatory traits in maize hybrids

A discriminant analysis was performed on a set of morphological characteristics for a group of Argentine commercial maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. In the discriminant analysis a set of canonical varieties was constructed to assess the discriminatory incidence of those characteristics among commercial hybrids. Discriminant analyses were performed on plant, ear and kernel characters. With the exception of whole plant traits, significant discriminations were found and the composition of the canonical variables explaining them was determined. For traits measured on the whole plant, ear insertion height was primarily responsible for the variation, and a noticeable level of uniformity was observed with respect to stalk diameters. Ear traits (ear medium diameter and ear length), kernel weight and number of kernels, exhibited the most significant discrimination among hybrids. Finally, with respect to kernel traits, significant distances among hybrids were detected, and kernel length and kernel breadth were the most important traits.