Romanian maize (Zea mays) inbred lines as a source of genetic diversity in SE Europe, and their potential in future breeding efforts.

ABSTRACT: Maize has always been under constant human selection ever since it had been domesticated. Intensive breeding programs that resulted in the massive use of hybrids nowadays have started in the 60s. That brought significant yield increases but reduced the genetic diversity at the same time. Consequently, breeders and researchers alike turned their attention to national germplasm collections established decades ago in many countries, as they may hold allelic variations that could prove useful for future improvements. These collections are mainly composed of inbred lines originating from well-adapted local open pollinated varieties. However, there is an overall lack of data in the literature about the genetic diversity of maize in SE Europe, and its potential for future breeding efforts. There

SUBMITTER: Suteu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877385 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature