Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Some Inbred Maize Lines

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The genetic value of maize inbred lines is determined by the source of germplasm that they are extracted from, the selection methods used during the successive inbreeding generations, as well as by the combination capacity expressed in the obtained heterosis. In the field of applied genetics, quantifying genetic distance can be considered a tool for predicting heterosis, which serves to the prognostication of hybridization formulas with the best possible performance. The priority objectives that need to be studied in the assessment of genetic diversity are numerous and need to be discussed systematically. Considering the importance and timeliness of research knowledge on phenotypic diversity and genetic inbred lines, our analysis methods pursued the following objectives: evaluating genetic diversity; controlling, conservation, utilizing and maintaining the existing germplasm on a rigorous scientific basis. The biological material used in the conducted research was represented by: 5 inbred lines, considered to be indicators of the heterotic groups, and 12 lines, new creations of the maize breeding team at ARDS Turda. Analysis of additive effects corresponding to quantitative characters is one of the most effective ways to determine the amelioration value of donor sources of favourable genetic material for complementarily perfecting the initial material during recurring selection works. The calculation of additive and non-additive genic effects, allowed the prediction of genetic performance in simple and trilinear hybrids, with maximum chances of confirmation by the competition experiments, for homologation.