Diversity Analysis of Quantitative Traits of Maize Varieties in Different Ecological Regions of Shanxi Province

【Objective】To fully explore and utilize high quality maize varieties in different ecological regions of Shanxi Province.【Method】Correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed on 13 quantitative traits of 75 maize varieties from 4 ecological regions in Shanxi Province.【Result】Among the 13 quantitative characters, the variation coefficients of seed yield and crude starch content were small, which were 1.78% and 1.92%, respectively, indicating that these two characters could be inherited stably. The coefficient of variation of ear position and ether extract was 15.06% and 13.78%, respectively, indicating that ear position and ether extract of maize varieties had greater potential for selection. Yield was significantly positively correlated with growth period, total leaf number, plant height, ear position, row number, 100-grain weight and seed production rate, and the correlation coefficients were 0.591, 0.520, 0.630, 0.57, 0.315, 0.461 and 0.380, respectively. The yield was significantly negatively correlated with crude fat, and the correlation coefficient was -0.438. The results of principal component analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the first four principal components was 71.35%. The first principal component mainly reflected the yield, crude fat, ear position and total leaf number. The second principal component mainly reflected growth period, row number and crude starch. The third principal component mainly reflected the crude protein, crude starch, ear length and row number. The fourth principal component mainly reflects the bulk density. Cluster analysis showed that 13 quantitative characters of 75 maize varieties were divided into 3 groups, and the characteristics of each group were preliminarily defined. Group Ⅰ was suitable for screening maize varieties with higher bulk density, crude protein and crude fat content, group Ⅱ was suitable for screening maize varieties with high yield and high crude starch content. Group Ⅲ was suitable for screening maize varieties with higher plant height, ear position and ear length.【Conclusion】The 75 maize materials had rich genetic diversity, and the quantitative characters were correlated with each other to different degrees. A total of 4 principal components were extracted by principal component analysis, with a cumulative contribution rate of 71.36%, which were yield factor, row number factor, crude protein factor and bulk density factor. The 75 maize varieties were divided into three groups by cluster analysis. The differences of these three groups were shown in the characteristics of bulk density, yield and plant height. This study laid a foundation for the selection and character improvement of maize parents in Shanxi Province.