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Correlation studies were carried out in two tropical-temperate maize populations which need to be
improved for a few agronomic traits in order to choose an efficient breeding strategy. Random sets
of S1 families of the populations were evaluated in a 10 × 10 triple lattice in savanna zone in Benin.
The traits studied were: earliness (days to 50% anthesis, silking and maturity, number of leaves),
plant and ear heights, grain yield, and harvest index. Linear phenotypic correlation coefficients
were estimated for all pairs of traits and tested for significance. Days to 50% anthesis, days to 50%
silking, and days to 50% maturity were highly and positively correlated in the two populations.
Plant height was highly and positively correlated with ear height in both populations. It was
significantly correlated with the four earliness variables studied in EV8443SR × (EV8443SR ×DEA)
(EDE) but significantly correlated with only one of them (number of leaves) in EV8443SR ×DEA
(ED). Grain yield was not linearly correlated with cycle duration. It was highly and positively
correlated with plant height in ED but not correlated with it in EDE. Harvest index was significantly
and negatively correlated with the four earliness variables in EDE and with days to 50% anthesis
and days to 50% silking in ED. It was highly and positively correlated with grain yield in the two
populations. Therefore, selection for days to 50% anthesis, silking or maturity (any of the three
variables) can improve the populations for earliness. Selection for high harvest index may increase
grain yield in the two populations.
Key words: agronomic traits, Benin, breeding, correlation, maize.