This work aimedto estimate the correlation coefficients, determining the direct and indirecteffects (path analysis) of explanatory independent variables on total dry matterproduction (main dependent variables) of five elephant grass clones in fivecuts accomplished at the forest zone of Pernambuco. Each experimental plot measured24 m2 with 2 m2 of utile area. There was high correlationbetween almost all the independent variables and the main variable. The characteristicleaf blade number per tiller, however, explained better the potential of drymatter production and leaf blade dry matter production, acting, respectively,in a direct and indirect way on the explanatory variables.
