Abstract:

To study the feasibility and application value of factor analysis in corn production tests and explore a more comprehensive and scientific evaluation method for test results, thus to put fine varieties in large-scale cultivation and promotion, the growth period, agronomic traits and disease resistance of 6 tested corn varieties (one as the control) of production test (middle altitude group) of Tianfeng corn variety consortium were analyzed by means of factor analysis in Baoshan in 2018. The results indicated that, the cumulative contribution rate of the first two common factors to total variation of population accounted for over 73.33%, and the two independent common factors could truly reflect the 7 traits and their relationship. The first common factor mainly included five traits of growth period, gray spot, ear rot, small spot and large spot, and was called growth period and disease resistance factor; and the second common factor was named main agronomic trait factor due to its control of plant height and ear height. Factor scoring showed that, among the 6 tested varieties, ‘Jinhe 880’ gained the lowest overall score which was related to the poorest score of the first common factor, thus it could be sown early in production; owing to the best score of the second common factor, ‘Fuhua 9’ had the highest overall score which could reduce plant height appropriately in the cultivation practice; ‘Jinheyu 618’ was suitable for expanding planting and promotion in the middle altitude region of Baoshan on the basis of its finest overall factor scoring. Factor analysis is applicable to the analysis and evaluation of corn production tests, and has some guiding significance in cultivation. With the help of factor scoring, specific and effective cultivation measures could be adopted for each variety to improve productivity and economic benefits.

Key words: Maize, Production Test, Factor Analysis, Factor Scoring, Evaluation Method