Molecular characterization of global maize breeding germplasm based on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms

Characterization of genetic diversity is of great value to assist breeders in parental line selection and breeding system design. We screened 770 maize inbred lines with 1,034 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and identified 449 high-quality markers with no germplasm-specific biasing effects. Pairwise comparisons across three distinct sets of germplasm, CIMMYT (394), China (282), and Brazil (94), showed that the elite lines from these diverse breeding pools have been developed with only limited utilization of genetic diversity existing in the center of origin. Temperate and tropical/subtropical germplasm clearly clustered into two separate groups. The temperate germplasm could be further divided into six groups consistent with known heterotic patterns. The greatest genetic divergence was observed between temperate and tropical/subtropical lines, followed by the divergence between yellow and white kernel lines, whereas the least divergence was observed between dent and flint lines. Long-term selection for hybrid performance has contributed to significant allele differentiation between heterotic groups at 20% of the SNP loci. There appeared to be substantial levels of genetic variation between different breeding pools as revealed by missing and unique alleles. Two SNPs developed from the same candidate gene were associated with the divergence between two opposite Chinese heterotic groups. Associated allele frequency change at two SNPs and their allele missing in Brazilian germplasm indicated a linkage disequilibrium block of 142 kb. These results confirm the power of SNP markers for diversity analysis and provide a feasible approach to unique allele discovery and use in maize breeding programs.     

Determination of heterotic groups for tropical Indica hybrid rice germplasm

Key message

Two heterotic groups and four heterotic patterns were identified for IRRI hybrid rice germplasm to develop hybrid rice in the tropics based on SSR molecular data and field trials.

Abstract

Information on heterotic groups and patterns is a fundamental prerequisite for hybrid crop breeding; however, no such clear information is available for tropical hybrid rice breeding after more than 30 years of hybrid rice commercialization. Based on a study of genetic diversity using molecular markers, 18 parents representing hybrid rice populations historically developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) were selected to form diallel crosses of hybrids and were evaluated in tropical environments. Yield, yield heterosis and combining ability were investigated with the main objectives of (1) evaluating the magnitude of yield heterosis among marker-based parental groups, (2) examining the consistency between marker-based group and heterotic performance of hybrids, and (3) identifying foundational hybrid parents in discrete germplasm pools to provide a reference for tropical indica hybrid rice breeding. Significant differences in yield, yield heterosis and combining ability were detected among parents and among hybrids. On average, the hybrids yielded 14.8 % higher than the parents. Results revealed that inter-group hybrids yielded higher, with higher yield heterosis than intra-group hybrids. Four heterotic patterns within two heterotic groups based on current IRRI B- and R-line germplasm were identified. Parents in two marker-based groups were identified with limited breeding value among current IRRI hybrid rice germplasm because of their lowest contribution to heterotic hybrids. Heterotic hybrids are significantly correlated with high-yielding parents. The efficiency of breeding heterotic hybrids could be enhanced using selected parents within identified marker-based heterotic groups. This information is useful for exploiting those widely distributed IRRI hybrid rice parents.     

Relationships among maize inbred lines and populations from European and North-American origins as estimated using RFLP markers

RFLP markers have proven to be a reliable and highly informative tool for characterizing genetic diversity in maize. Joint analysis of inbred lines and populations should provide valuable information with respect to (1) a better understanding of the genetic basis of present elite germplasm and (2) the identification of populations that may prove to be useful sources of genetic diversity for breeding programs. Sixty-two inbred lines of known heterotic groups and ten maize populations, some of them significant contributors to the genetic basis of the heterotic groups, were assayed at 28 RFLP loci. Joint data analyses first underlined that the populations displayed a large number of alleles that were absent in the set of inbred lines. Associations among inbreds and populations further proved consistent with pedigree data of the inbreds and provided new information on the genetical basis of heterotic groups. In particular, European flint inbreds were revealed to be as close to the Northeastern U.S. flint population studied as to the typical European populations. These results advocate the analysis of larger sets of populations by means of molecular markers in order to (1) gain insight into the history of maize germplasm and (2) set up appropriate strategies for the use of genetic resources in breeding programs. Received: 23 February 1998 / Accepted: 5 February 1999     

Population structure and genetic diversity in a commercial maize breeding program assessed with SSR and SNP markers

Information about the genetic diversity and population structure in elite breeding material is of fundamental importance for the improvement of crops. The objectives of our study were to (a) examine the population structure and the genetic diversity in elite maize germplasm based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, (b) compare these results with those obtained from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and (c) compare the coancestry coefficient calculated from pedigree records with genetic distance estimates calculated from SSR and SNP markers. Our study was based on 1,537 elite maize inbred lines genotyped with 359 SSR and 8,244 SNP markers. The average number of alleles per locus, of group specific alleles, and the gene diversity (D) were higher for SSRs than for SNPs. Modified Roger’s distance (MRD) estimates and membership probabilities of the STRUCTURE matrices were higher for SSR than for SNP markers but the germplasm organization in four heterotic pools was consistent with STRUCTURE results based on SSRs and SNPs. MRD estimates calculated for the two marker systems were highly correlated (0.87). Our results suggested that the same conclusions regarding the structure and the diversity of heterotic pools could be drawn from both markers types. Furthermore, although our results suggested that the ratio of the number of SSRs and SNPs required to obtain MRD or D estimates with similar precision is not constant across the various precision levels, we propose that between 7 and 11 times more SNPs than SSRs should be used for analyzing population structure and genetic diversity.     

Grouping of tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines on the basis of yield data and molecular markers

The classification of maize inbred lines into heterotic groups is an important undertaking in hybrid breeding. The objectives of our research were to: (1) separate selected tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines into heterotic groups based on grain yield data; (2) assess the genetic relationships among these inbred lines using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers; (3) examine the consistency between yield-based and marker-based groupings of the inbred lines. Thirty-eight tropical mid-altitude maize inbred lines were crossed to two inbred line testers representing the flint and dent heterotic pattern, respectively. The resulting testcrosses were evaluated in a trial at three locations for 2 years. Significant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects for grain yield were detected among the inbred lines. The tester inbred lines classified 23 of the 38 tested inbred lines into two heterotic groups based on SCA effects and testcross mean grain yields. This grouping was not related to endosperm type of the inbred lines. The outstanding performance of testcrosses of the remaining 15 inbred lines indicates the presence of significant genetic diversity that may allow the assignment of the lines into more than two heterotic groups. Diversity analysis of the 40 maize inbred lines using AFLP and SSR markers found high levels of genetic diversity among these lines and subdivided them into two main groups with subdivision into sub-groups consistent with breeding history, origin and parentage of the lines. However, heterotic groups formed using yield-based combining ability were different from the groups established on the basis of molecular markers. Considering the diversity of the genetic backgrounds of the mid-altitude inbred lines, the marker-based grouping may serve as the basis to design and carry out combining ability studies in the field to establish clearly defined heterotic groups with a greater genetic similarity within groups.Communicated by H.H. Geiger     

The strategy and potential utilization of temperate germplasm for tropical germplasm improvement: a case study of maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.)

The organization of maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm into genetically divergent heterotic groups is the foundation of a successful hybrid maize breeding program. In this study, 94 CIMMYT maize lines (CMLs) and 54 United States germplasm enhancement of maize (GEM) lines were assembled and characterized using 1,266 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with high quality. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), the GEM lines and CMLs were clearly separated. In the GEM lines, there were two groups classified by PCA corresponding to the heterotic groups “stiff stalk” and “non-stiff stalk”. CMLs did not form obvious subgroups by PCA. The allelic frequency of each SNP differed in GEM lines and CMLs. In total, 3.6% alleles (46/1,266) of CMLs are absent in GEM lines and 4.4% alleles (56/1,266) of GEM lines are absent in CMLs. The performance of F1 plants (n = 654) produced by crossing between different groups based on pedigree information was evaluated at the breeding nurseries of two CIMMYT stations. Genomic estimated phenotypic values of plant height and days to anthesis for a testing set of 45 F1 crosses were predicted based on the training data of 600 F1 crosses using a best linear unbiased prediction method. The prediction accuracy benefitted from the adoption of the markers associated with quantitative trait loci for both traits; however, it does not necessarily increase with an increase in marker density. It is suggested that genomic selection combined with association analysis could improve prediction efficiency and reduce cost. For hybrid maize breeding in the tropics, incorporating GEM lines which have unique alleles and clear heterotic patterns into tropically adapted lines could be beneficial for enhancing heterosis in grain yields.     

Patterns of genomic variation in Chinese maize inbred lines and implications for genetic improvement

Key message

Genetic relationships among Chinese maize germplasms reveal historical trends in heterotic patterns from Chinese breeding programs and identify line Dan340 as a potential genome donor for elite inbred line Zheng58.

Abstract

The characterization of the genetic relationships, heterotic patterns and breeding history of lines in maize breeding programs allows breeders to efficiently use maize germplasm for line improvement over time. In this study, 269 temperate inbred lines, most of which have been widely used in Chinese maize breeding programs since the 1970s, were genotyped using the Illumina MaizeSNP50 BeadChip, which contains 56,110 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The STRUCTURE analysis, cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis results consistently revealed seven groups, of which five were consistent with known heterotic groups within the Chinese maize germplasm—Domestic Reid, Lancaster, Zi330, Tang SPT and Tem-tropic I (also known as “P”). These genetic relationships also allowed us to determine the historical trends in heterotic patterns during the three decades from 1970 to 2000, represented by Mo17 from Lancaster, HuangZaoSi (HZS) from Tang SPT, Ye478 from Domestic Reid and P178 from Tem-tropic I heterotic groups. Mo17-related commercial hybrids were widely used in the 1970s and 1980s, followed by the release of HZS- and Ye478-related commercial hybrids in the 1980s and 1990s, and the introduction of Tem-tropic I group in the 1990s and 2000s. Additionally, we identified inbred line Dan340 as a potential genome donor for Zheng58, which is the female parent of the most widely grown commercial hybrid ZhengDan958 in China. We also reconstructed the recombination events of elite line HZS and its 14 derived lines. These findings provide useful information to direct future maize breeding efforts.

     

Extent and genome-wide distribution of linkage disequilibrium in commercial maize germplasm

Association mapping is based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) resulting from historical recombinations and helps understanding the genetic basis of complex traits. Many factors affect LD and, therefore, it must be determined empirically in the germplasm under investigation to examine the prospects of successful genome-wide association mapping. The objectives of our study were to (1) examine the extent of LD with simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in 1,537 commercial maize inbred lines belonging to four heterotic pools, (2) compare the LD patterns determined by these two marker types, (3) evaluate the number of SNP markers needed to perform genome-wide association analyses, and (4) investigate temporal trends of LD. Mean values of the squared correlation coefficient ( $ \bar{R} $ ) were almost identical for unlinked, linked, and adjacent SSR marker pairs. In contrast, $ \bar{R} $ values were lowest for the unlinked SNP loci and highest for the SNPs within amplicons. LD decay varied across the different heterotic pools and the individual chromosomes. The SSR markers employed in the present study are not adequate for association analysis, because of insufficient marker density for the germplasm evaluated. Based on the decay of LD in the various heterotic pools, we would need between 4,000 and 65,000 SNP markers to detect with a reasonable power associations with rather large quantitative trait loci (QTL). A much higher marker density is required to identify QTL with smaller effects. However, not only the total number of markers but also their distribution among and along the chromosomes are primordial for undertaking powerful association analyses.     

利用分子标记分析遗传多样性时的玉米群体取样策略研究

利用分子标记技术对玉米种质资源进行遗传多样性分析对种质资源的保存和利用具有重要的指导意义。但是,在对地方品种和育种群体这些开放授粉群体进行大规模遗传多样性分析时,取样方法将会严重影响到研究结果和工作效率。本研究用2个育种群体和3个地方品种为试材,利用微卫星(SSR)标记对每个群体100个个体及其组成的不同随机混合样品进行了分子检测。结果表明,不同群体的群体内遗传变异大小存在差异;相同数目的个体随机混合的不同样品间的检测结果基本相同;不同数目的个体混合的样品间存在一定程度的差异,并且与材料本身的遗传变异大小有一定关系。考虑到结果的科学性和工作的可行性,建议在利用分子标记(如SSR)进行地方品种和育种群体的遗传多样性评估时,随机选取30个个体组成混合样(或用15个个体组成2个混合样)来代表1个地方品种或育种群体进行分子鉴定。     

Evaluating genetic relationships between tropical maize inbred lines by means of AFLP profiling

Diversity among tropical maize inbred lines that compose breeding programs, is not well known. The lack of this information has made the arrangement of heterotic groups to be used for breeding purposes difficult. Methods of molecular analysis have been used as efficient alternatives for evaluating genetic diversity, aiming at heterotic group arrangement and acquisition of new hybrids. In this study, AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) was used to investigate the genetic relationships among 96 tropical maize inbred lines from two different origins. The polymorphism level among the genotypes and the possibility of their allocation in heterotic groups were evaluated. Besides, correlations among genetic diversity and flowering time were analyzed. Nine primer combinations were used to obtain AFLP markers, producing 638 bands, 569 of which were polymorphic. Genetic similarities (GS), determined by Jaccard's similarity coefficient, varied from 0.345 to 0.891, with an average of 0.543. The dendrogram based on the GS and on the UPGMA cluster method did not separate the inbred lines in well-defined groups. Aiming at separating the lines into more accurate groups, Tocher's optimization procedure was carried out, 17 groups being identified. Association between flowering time and germplasm pools was detected. AFLP showed itself to be a robust assay, revealing a great power of detection of genetic variability in the tropical germplasm, and also demonstrated to be very useful for guiding breeding programs.     

Gene-based microsatellites for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz): prevalence, polymorphisms, and cross-taxa utility

Background  

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a starchy root crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates, is the sixth most important crop in the world after wheat, rice, maize, potato and barley. The repertoire of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for cassava is limited and warrants a need for a larger number of polymorphic SSRs for germplasm characterization and breeding applications.     

Broadening the genetic base of European maize heterotic pools with US Cornbelt germplasm using field and molecular marker data

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders are concerned about the narrowing of the genetic base of elite germplasm. To reverse this trend, elite germplasm from other geographic regions can be introgressed, but due to lack of adaptation it is difficult to assess their breeding potential in the targeted environment. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the relationship between European and US maize germplasm, (2) examine the suitability of different mega-environments and measures of performance to assess the breeding potential of exotics, and (3) study the relationship of genetic distance with mid-parent heterosis (MPH). Eight European inbreds from the Dent and Flint heterotic groups, 11 US inbreds belonging to Stiff Stalk (SS), non-Stiff Stalk (NSS), and CIMMYT Pool 41, and their 88 factorial crosses in F₁ and F₂ generations were evaluated for grain yield and dry matter concentration. The experiments were conducted in three mega-environments: Central Europe (target mega-environment), US Cornbelt (mega-environment where donor lines were developed), and Southeast Europe (an intermediate mega-environment). The inbreds were also fingerprinted with 266 SSR markers. Suitable criteria to identify promising exotic germplasm were F₁ hybrid performance in the targeted mega-environment and F₁ and parental performance in the intermediate mega-environment. Marker-based genetic distances reflected relatedness among the inbreds, but showed no association with MPH. Based on genetic distance, MPH, and F₁ performance, we suggest to introgress SS germplasm into European Dents and NSS into European Flints, in order to exploit the specific adaptation of European flint germplasm and the excellent combining ability of US germplasm in European maize breeding programs.     

Development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for use in commercial maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm

The development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in maize offers the opportunity to utilize DNA markers in many new areas of population genetics, gene discovery, plant breeding and germplasm identification. However, the steps from sequencing and SNP discovery to SNP marker design and validation are lengthy and expensive. Access to a set of validated SNP markers is a significant advantage to maize researchers who wish to apply SNPs in scientific inquiry. We mined 1,088 loci sequenced across 60 public inbreds that have been used in maize breeding in North America and Europe. We then selected 640 SNPs using generalized marker design criteria that enable utilization with several SNP chemistries. While SNPs were found on average every 43 bases in 1,088 maize gene sequences, SNPs that were amenable to marker design were found on average every 623 bases; representing only 7% of the total SNPs discovered. We also describe the development of a 768 marker multiplex assay for use on the Illumina^® BeadArray? platform. SNP markers were mapped on the IBM2 intermated B73 × Mo17 high resolution genetic map using either the IBM2 segregating population, or segregation in multiple parent-progeny triplets. A high degree of colinearity was found with the genetic nested association map. For each SNP presented we give information on map location, polymorphism rates in different heterotic groups and performance on the Illumina^® platform.     

Comparison of Linkage Disequilibrium in Elite European Maize Inbred Lines using AFLP and SSR Markers

Application of association mapping to plant breeding populations has the potential to revolutionize plant genetics. The main objectives of this study were to (i) investigate the extent and genomic distribution of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between pairs of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, (ii) compare these results with those obtained with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and (iii) compare the usefulness of AFLP and SSR markers for genomewide association mapping in plant breeding populations. We examined LD in a cross-section of 72 European elite inbred lines genotyped with 452 AFLP and 93 SSR markers. LD was significant (p < 0.05) for about 15% of the AFLP marker pairs and for about 49% of the SSR marker pairs in each of the two germplasm groups, flint and dent. In both germplasm groups the ratio of linked to unlinked loci pairs in LD was higher for AFLPs than for SSRs. The observation of LD due to linkage for both marker types suggested that genome-wide association mapping should be possible using either AFLPs or SSRs. The results of our study indicated that SSRs should be favored over AFLPs but the opposite applies to populations with a long history of recombination.     

Linkage disequilibrium in European elite maize germplasm investigated with SSRs

Information about the extent and genomic distribution of linkage disequilibrium (LD) is of fundamental importance for association mapping. The main objectives of this study were to (1) investigate genetic diversity within germplasm groups of elite European maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines, (2) examine the population structure of elite European maize germplasm, and (3) determine the extent and genomic distribution of LD between pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We examined genetic diversity and LD in a cross section of European and US elite breeding material comprising 147 inbred lines genotyped with 100 SSR markers. For gene diversity within each group, significant (P<0.05) differences existed among the groups. The LD was significant (P<0.05) for 49% of the SSR marker pairs in the 80 flint lines and for 56% of the SSR marker pairs in the 57 dent lines. The ratio of linked to unlinked loci in LD was 1.1 for both germplasm groups. The high incidence of LD suggests that the extent of LD between SSR markers should allow the detection of marker-phenotype associations in a genome scan. However, our results also indicate that a high proportion of the observed LD is generated by forces, such as relatedness, population stratification, and genetic drift, which cause a high risk of detecting false positives in association mapping.     

Usefulness of Multiparental Populations of Maize (Zea mays L.) for Genome-Based Prediction

The efficiency of marker-assisted prediction of phenotypes has been studied intensively for different types of plant breeding populations. However, one remaining question is how to incorporate and counterbalance information from biparental and multiparental populations into model training for genome-wide prediction. To address this question, we evaluated testcross performance of 1652 doubled-haploid maize (Zea mays L.) lines that were genotyped with 56,110 single nucleotide polymorphism markers and phenotyped for five agronomic traits in four to six European environments. The lines are arranged in two diverse half-sib panels representing two major European heterotic germplasm pools. The data set contains 10 related biparental dent families and 11 related biparental flint families generated from crosses of maize lines important for European maize breeding. With this new data set we analyzed genome-based best linear unbiased prediction in different validation schemes and compositions of estimation and test sets. Further, we theoretically and empirically investigated marker linkage phases across multiparental populations. In general, predictive abilities similar to or higher than those within biparental families could be achieved by combining several half-sib families in the estimation set. For the majority of families, 375 half-sib lines in the estimation set were sufficient to reach the same predictive performance of biomass yield as an estimation set of 50 full-sib lines. In contrast, prediction across heterotic pools was not possible for most cases. Our findings are important for experimental design in genome-based prediction as they provide guidelines for the genetic structure and required sample size of data sets used for model training.     

SSR analysis of genetic diversity among maize inbred lines adapted to cold regions of Japan

Information regarding diversity and relationships among breeding material is necessary for hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) breeding. Simple-sequence repeat (SSR) analysis of the 60 loci distributed uniformly throughout the maize genome was carried out for 65 inbred lines adapted to cold regions of Japan in order to assess genetic diversity among the inbred lines and to assign them to heterotic groups. The mean value (0.69) of the polymorphic-index content (PIC) for the SSR loci provided sufficient discrimination-ability for the assessment of genetic diversity among the inbred lines. The correlation between the genetic-similarity (GS) estimates and the coancestry coefficient was significant (r = 0.70). The average-linkage (UPGMA) cluster analysis and principal-coordinate analysis (PCOA) for a matrix of the GS estimates showed that the Northern flint inbred lines bred in Japan were similar to a Canadian Northern flint inbred line CO12 and a European flint inbred line F283, and that dent inbred lines bred in Japan were similar to BSSS inbred lines such as B73. These associations correspond to the known pedigree records of these inbred lines. The results indicate that SSR analysis is effective for the assessment of genetic diversity among maize inbred lines and for the assignment of inbred lines to heterotic groups.     

New resources for genetic studies in maize (Zea mays L.): a genome-wide Maize6H-60K single nucleotide polymorphism array and its application

Despite the availability of numerous molecular markers in maize, effective evaluation of all types of germplasm resources, accurate identification of varieties and analysis of a large number of materials in a timely, low-cost manner is challenging. Here, we present Maize6H-60K, a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to facilitate maize genotyping. We first identified 160 million variants by sequencing data of 388 representative inbreds and then tiled 200 000 high-quality variants on a screening array. These variants were further narrowed down to 61 282 using stringent filtering criteria. Among the 60 000 markers, 21 460 SNPs (35%) were within genic regions and 12 835 (21%) were located in coding regions. To assess their effectiveness, 329 inbreds, 221 hybrids, 34 parent–offspring sets and six breeding samples were genotyped. Overall, 48 972 SNPs (80%) were categorized into the highest quality class, that of ‘poly high resolution’. A total of 54 658 (89.29%) and 53 091 (86.73%) SNPs had minor allele frequency values ≥ 0.20 in inbreds and hybrids respectively. A linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis revealed that LD decline was in equilibrium when r² was between 0.10 and 0.15, which corresponds to a physical distance of 400–600 kb. UPGMA clustering analysis divided the 329 inbred lines into nine groups that were consistent with known pedigrees. A background analysis of breeding materials indicated that the 60 000 markers were suitable for evaluation of breeding populations constructed by materials between or within heterotic groups. The developed Maize6H-60K array should be an important tool in maize genetic studies, variety identification and molecular breeding.     

Molecular marker assisted broadening of the Central European heterotic groups in rye with Eastern European germplasm

Broadening the genetic base of heterotic pools is a key to ensure continued genetic gains in hybrid breeding and extend hybrid cultivation to new areas. In the present study, two Central European heterotic pools (Carsten and Petkus) and five Eastern European open-pollinated varieties (OPVs, Pop-1 to Pop-5) were studied with the objectives to (1) investigate the genetic diversity in OPVs and the heterotic pools using molecular and field data, (2) evaluate the molecular diversity among OPVs, (3) examine the combining ability for grain yield of the OPVs when crossed with testers in field trials, and (4) develop a strategy for targeted introgression of OPV germplasm into the heterotic pools. In total, 610 S₀ plants, 347 from OPVs and 263 from heterotic pools, were developed. Clones of the S₀ plants of OPVs were crossed with two testers belonging to each heterotic pool, while clones of heterotic pools were crossed with only the opposite tester. Testcrosses were evaluated for grain yield in multi-location trials. In addition, 589 S₀ plants were fingerprinted with 30 SSR markers. The data revealed that the Carsten pool has a narrow genetic base and should be the primary target for broadening the established heterotic pattern. Mean and genetic variance suggested that Pop-2 and Pop-4 are good candidates for introgression in Petkus pool and Pop-5 in Carsten pool. Nevertheless, introgression of Pop-5 in Carsten could reduce the genetic diversity between heterotic pools. Therefore, we suggest that either selected plants of Pop-5 should be introgressed or more Eastern European germplasm should be fingerprinted and field evaluated to identify promising germplasm for broadening the established heterotic pattern.     

Allozyme polymorphisms of maize populations from southwestern China

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most-important food crops in southwestern China. The diversity of maize populations from southwestern China has been evaluated on the basis of agronomic and morphological data, but not on marker data. Our objectives were to evaluate the allozyme polymorphism of these populations, and group the populations on the basis of allozyme data. We analyzed 27 maize populations from southwestern China and two populations [BS13(S)C2 and Lancaster] from the USA for genetic variation at 18 allozyme loci. We found a total of 69 alleles at 18 allozyme loci with an average of 3.8 alleles per locus. Compared with inbreds, hybrids, and populations from the U.S. Corn Belt, the 27 Chinese populations had a significantly higher (p<0.01) number of allozyme alleles per locus. Maize populations from southwestern China have accumulated abundant genetic diversity, and might be valuable germplasm for broadening the genetic base of U.S. Corn Belt breeding germplasm. The analyses of allele-frequency distributions and the expected heterozygosity also reflected the differences between the Chinese and the U.S. germplasm. The Chinese populations might be valuable germplasm for complementing U.S. Corn Belt breeding germplasm. The analysis of gene diversity showed that 77% of the allozyme variation resided within populations and 23% between populations. This result suggested that breeders should identify one or a few Chinese populations with the best agronomic performance, and exploit the genetic variation within these selected populations. Cluster analysis classified the 29 populations into four main groups. Groupings based on allozyme data could be useful for classifying the populations into different heterotic groups and, consequently, exploiting them in hybrid breeding. Received: 12 October 2000 / Accepted: 13 March 2001