Maize (Zea mays L., 2n=20) is the first productive and sources of food in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, mainly at Metekel zone. However striga weed, improved varieties and certified seed access are the major challenges. Therefore the objectives of this study were: to evaluate the agronomic performance of maize hybrids depend on different genetic parameters, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance and estimate the genotypic and phenotypic association with direct and indirect effects through path analysis to identify the relative associations and contributions of traits. The experiment comprised 13 genotypes in RCBD with 3 replications in 2016. The ANOVA showed significant (P< 0.05) to highly significant (P<0.01) differences. The highest grain yield (9.07 t ha-1) was recorded for BH546 followed by BH 547 (9.05 t ha-1). The PCV values for GLS, TLB, no.of cobs harvested and grain yield were moderate. The highest PCV and GCV values were recorded for ear height, plant and ear aspects while low PCV and GCV values recorded for days to 50% silking, days to 50 % anthesis and plant height exhibited the environmental effects on the expression of the traits are also lower. High heritability and GA recorded for plant and ear heights show the influence of environment on those traits is insignificant. Stand count at harvest exhibited significantly and positively associated at the genotypic and phenotypic levels with grain yield and positive direct effect. Breeders bounce attention for the enhancement of long and short duration variety development. Plant and ear heights negatively and non-significantly associated and directly influenced the grain yield at the genotypic and phenotypic levels indicate as extreme long, lodging will influence or extreme dwarf exposed to animals damage for yield loss. Generally BH546 and BH 547 varieties are recommended to the maize production.

Keywords: Correlation, GA, GCV, Genotypes, heritability, maize, path analysis and yield