AGROMORPHLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF YELLOW MAIZE GERMPLASM IN HIGH LANDS OF MEXICO

Abstract

The genetic potential of maize landraces (Zea mays L.), and their adaptation to agro-climatic conditions in each particular region can be used in breeding programs to meet grain demands at the local, regional and national level, and thus contribute to minimize the import of yellow maize. This study assesse yellow maize populations from different geographic origin of Mexico by evaluation of their agromorphological performance and identified adapted groups or populations with favorable expression for the Mexican Highlands of Mexico. One hundred and one populations of yellow maize were evaluated in 2014 and 2015 in Montecillo and Tecamac, State of Mexico, and agronomic and morphological characteristics were recorded. Eight groups were defined through principal component and clusters analyses, which showed significant differences between years, localities, groups and interactions; these results show the diversity and variability of the evaluated germplasm performance. Results also showed the range of available genetic attribute options for these populations, such as earliness, plant height, ear size and grain yield. It was possible to confirm that native materials possess agronomic and adaptation characteristics to the target environment that may be used in breeding programs for areas with optimal or restrictive conditions.