Characterization and Diversity of Selected Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Using Qualitative Traits

Abstract

Phenotypic traits qualitatively and quantitatively are helpful as a preliminary evaluation of maize genetic diversity and provided practical and critical information required characterizing genetic resources. To find out the varietal characterization and grouping with similarity, fifty maize genotypes including hybrids and inbreds were examined in this experiment. This experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications during wet season from June to October, 2019, at Maize and other Cereal Crops Research Section, Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The qualitative characters were recorded at different growing stages according to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Test Guide line (TG). The agglomerative cluster analysis was computed using Ward’s hierarchical algorithm based of qualitative characters. According to the results, diverse qualitative traits were observed among the tested genotypes and genotypes varied different qualitative traits with different frequencies. Thus, comparisons of qualitative traits were made to know the extent of variation among maize varieties under investigation to estimate the genetic diversity. The tested maize genotypes could be grouped five clusters based on qualitative traits. Although some maize genotypes collected in an area are included in different groups because of the different characteristics they pose. Since qualitative characters have less environmental influences, these traits could be used for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) test and Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) testing of plant varieties. Thus, the application of morphological markers according to UPOV descriptor could contribute to more efficient selection of parental pairs in the early generations of testing.