Study on the Genetic Diversity of Introduced Yugoslavia Maize Inbred Lines and Prediction of Heterosis Using SSR Markers

Exotic germplasms have been playing an important role in corn breeding and production in our country. But to make good use of them, their genetic characteristics and germplasm relationship with Chinese inbred lines representing different heterotic groups should be studied. In this study, the genetic diversity of 27 elite maize inbred lines, 9 introduced Yugoslavia inbreds and 7 Chinese inbreds representing different heterotic groups, were evaluated by 113 polymorphism SSR markers. And the correlations among GD, GH, SCA, over-check heterosis and F_1 grain yield, and their abilities and results in heterosis prediction were also studied. The results showed that all the 27 inbred lines were classified into 6 clusters, which was in agreement with pedigree analysis. All PA, PB and Tangsipingtou lines were assigned into their groups accordingly; Yugoslavia lines ZPL01, ZPL02, ZPL06, ZPL09 and ZPL10 were placed into cluster I, ZPL03, ZPL04, ZPL05 into cluster II with Mo17 and Dan232, ZPL07 into cluster III with Zong3 and Zong31. There were significantly positive correlations among SCA, heterosis and F_1 ear-kernel weight, but those GD, GH and F_1 ear-kernel weight or over-check heterosis were significant only at Changge. So SCA and over-check heterosis could be used to predict F_1 yield, but the ability of GD and GH in heterosis predication was limited and easily affected by environment. The correlation between GD and GH was significantly positive, but they had low correlation with SCA.