Transformation, evaluation of GTGene and multivariate genetic analysis for morpho-physiological and yield attributing traits in Zea mays

Abstract

Maize is the 3rd major crop grown all over the world that fulfills the needs of millions of people. Various biotic and abiotic factors caused reduction in grain yield of maize, among them weeds show most adverse effects. Objective of this study was to develop glyphosate resistance maize for developing maize hybrids and synthetic varieties with high grain and fodder yield potential. Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide and resistance of crop against the herbicide, allows post emergence application, which otherwise is impossible. Higher GTG crude protein (479.94?g/g) was recorded for CIL 194-975 plant. The plant CIL 194-1786 showed higher expression level of GTG protein, indicated that transformation efficiency was better for line CIL-194 than CIL-123. GTGene stably integrated to the genome of the maize lines CIL-194 and CIL-123, these transformed lines showed more ability to cope with herbicides as compared with non-transformed lines in greenhouse and field trials. The transgenic lines were sown in field and data was recorded for various morpho-physiological, grain, fodder yield and quality traits. Data was statistically analyzed to check significance of results at <0.05% probability level. It was concluded from heritability, genetic advance, stepwise multiple linear regression, principle component and factor analysis that the selection on the basis of grain yield, green fodder yield, stem diameter, cob weight, stomata conductance, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, cob length, grain protein, grain oil, embryo percentage and grain starch may be fruitful keeping in view as the major contributing traits to improve crop yield and production. It was suggested that the transgenic lines for glyphosate resistance may be used to develop transgenic hybrids and synthetic varieties with higher grain yield with high quality.