Genetic Variability in a Set of Early Maize Inbred Lines
Characterization of genetic variability among maize inbred lines can facilitate organization of germplasm and improve efficiency of breeding programs. A set of 83 phenotypically diverse inbred maize lines maintained in Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS), Turda, Romania was characterized by pedigree, phenotypically using 14 characters of the plant and ear and genetic with RFLP markers. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic variability and to define the potential heterotic groups based on clusters formed with marker data. Inbred lines were grouped by their phenotypic differences index in twenty classes. Both the phenotypic and molecular markers analysis indicated high genetic variability and also allowed the separation of the germplasm into group of genetic similarity. The result suggested that the inbred lines analyzed could be useful in maize genetic breeding program.