Assessment of Genetic Diversity in some Grain Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes by Using Yield Traits and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers

Abstract

In this research, A field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study Genetic diversity in 13 maize (Zea mayes.L) genotypes by using yield traits and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The field experiment was conducted in the summer season of 2015- 2016 at Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) Farm, Wad ـMadani, Sudan. The design of the experiment was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replicats. Three yield traits were measured included number of kernel /row, 100 kernel weight, and grain yield (kg/ha). The Genotypic (GCV) and Phenotypic (PCV) Coefficients of variation and Heritability (h2) for yield traits were determined. The results showed significant differences in kernel weight and grain yield and non significant differences in kernel row/ cob. Hundred grain weight scored the highest values of PCV, GCV and h2. The genotype LONGS scored the highest yield (1286.30 kg/ha).The laboratory experiment were conducted at the laboratory of Molecular Biology Unit, National Center for Research (NCR),14 SSRs markers were used to estimate the genetic diversity in the 13 maize genotypes. The results indicated 13 primers (93%) were polymorphic and generated 65 alleles 52 (80%) of alleles were polymorphic- analysis was performed using principal coordinates analysis. Dissimilarity between genotypes ranged from 0.13 to 1.14. The Dendrogram was constructed depending on percentage disagreement value using UPGMA clustering. The clusters grouped the genotypes and revealed several patterns of variation, although some of them share same eco-geographic location. It could be concluded that genetic diversity observed in the 13 maize genotypes in yield traits and by using SSRs markers could be of a great value in any maize breeding program.