this work aimed to estimate the correlation coefficients, determining the direct and indirect effects (path analysis) of explanatory independent variables on total dry matter production (main dependent variables) of five elephant grass clones in five cuts accomplished at the forest zone of pernambuco. each experimental plot measured 24 m2 with 2 m2 of utile area. there was high correlation between almost all the independent variables and the main variable. the characteristic leaf blade number per tiller, however, explained better the potential of dry matter production and leaf blade dry matter production, acting, respectively, in a direct and indirect way on the explanatory variables.
