The researchers studied genetic variability and correlations in maize plants to improve yield and reduce phytic acid content. They analyzed three different crosses of maize plants and found significant genetic differences among the plants, indicating variability. Traits like plant height, cob size, and kernel weight were found to be strongly linked to higher yield. Interestingly, the study showed that yield and phytic acid content are not significantly correlated, meaning it's possible to breed maize plants with both low phytic acid and high yield. This research suggests that targeted breeding strategies can lead to improved maize varieties in the future.