The efficiency of a breeding program depends mainly on direction and magnitude of association between yield and its components. The purpose of this study was to describe the application ol correlation and path analysis to grain yield (GY) in maize . Six generations including two parents and their prgenies (Fl.F2, BC’I and BC2) were grown in Karaj. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation for GY and its components were calculated. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation for GY and its components were calculated. GY was significantly and positively correlated to the ear weight (EW) , ear circumference (EC), ear diameter, 300-kernel weight (KWT) and number of kernels pr row (NKR). Path analysis for GY showed that KWT and kernel depth (KD) had the highest positive effect on GY However the ED had
negative indirect effect n CY through some traits . It had a positive correlation with GY because of indirect effects through KWT and KD . Path analysis for KWT and NKR showed that ear diameter(ED) had high positive direct on NKR. Sequential path analysis of six trait components studied revealed that KWT had the highest significant effect on GY hut NKR and KW had an indirect effect, through KWT, on GY. The comparison of path analysis with all correlations and sequential path analysis showed that the two methods lead to nearly the same results and altogether KWT and NKR were the most important yield components.
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