Abstract
A major challenge facing those involved in the testing of new plant varieties for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) is the need to compare them against all those of 'common knowledge'. A set of maize inbred lines was used to compare how morphological, physiological characterization and RAPD molecular marker described variety relationships. All the inbred lines were confirmed as morphologically and physiologically distinct. At morphological level the maximum genetic distance (10.8) and least genetic distance (1.6) were found. For physiological characters distance varied from 0.35 to 1.92 and results from dendrogram, which was made on the basis of dissimilarity matrix, were grouped into five major clusters. From RAPD, random primers provide polymorphic amplification products; the distance varying 0.42 to 0.65 and dendrogram showed that these lines formed close clusters due to the less variation in these lines at molecular level. In the present study, the molecular markers also exposed useful genetic diversity and the visual displays appeared to disperse the lines somewhat more evenly over the plot than the morphological and physiological methods.
Highlights
Maize is grown world wide on an approximately 161 million ha annually with a production of 685 million metric tonnes [1]
The question of Plant Variety Protection (PVP) has been brought into worldwide focus by the agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Right (TRIPS), which is a part of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) Agreement establishing the World
The Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) concept is based on the realization that if commercial plant breeding is to be encouraged for the benefit of agriculture and society, measures have to be taken to allow breeders to profit from their product [17]
Summary
Maize is grown world wide on an approximately 161 million ha annually with a production of 685 million metric tonnes [1]. Knowledge of genetic diversity in maize germplasm helps to ensure that a broad genetic base of breeding materials is maintained, not just for sustaining genetic improvement and for reducing genetic vulnerability to pests and diseases This information may be obtained from pedigree and test cross data, morphological and biochemical traits or molecular markers and it is important for maximizing heterosis because molecular markers can characterize lines directly and precisely at the DNA level. They can help maize breeders in efficiently assigning lines to heterotic groups and guide them in the choice of parents for the development of new hybrids.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
