Use of zein polymorphism for assessing the genetic diversity of maize germplasm

Abstract

At present, considerable attention is being paid to the study of differences between germplasm heterotic groups not only at the organismal level, but also at the molecular and protein levels. The aim of the present study was to apply new methodological approaches to investigate the potential use of polymorphism of alcohol-soluble storage proteins (zeins) in maize inbred lines belonging to different heterotic groups for the assessment of their genetic similarities and differences. To achieve this goal, the following objectives were defined: 1) to study the characteristics of zein polymorphism (ZP) in maize inbred lines of two heterotic groups - BSSS-B37 and Iodent; 2) to investigate the genetic diversity of maize inbred lines carrying D27 and D29 germplasm on the basis of related test-crosses using zein protein markers.