Applications of molecular markers in Genetic Diversity Studies of maize

Abstract

Molecular markers are efficient for exploiting variations in genotypes as they are not influenced by environmental factors and also speed up breeding programs. They are used to detect large numbers of distinct divergence between genotypes at the DNA level. Genetic diversity study helps to estimate the relationship between inbred lines to make the best hybrid combinations. Lines which are clustered in different heterotic groups are considered as the best hybrid combinations to carry out further breeding activities. Molecular markers are used to meet a number of objectives, including genetic diversity analysis and prediction of hybrid performances in divergent crop species. Agro-morphological and molecular markers have been utilized to study genetic diversity so far. In maize, the uses of molecular markers are important for the evaluation of genetic diversity of inbred lines and in clustering them into heterotic groups. These markers determine genetic similarity of the lines and are used to assess the genetic diversity of maize. Molecular markers have proven valuable for genetic diversity analysis of many crop species and genetically diverse lines are important to improve hybrid breeding.

Keyword: Molecular marker; Genetic diversity; Genetic variation, Diversity Array technology; cluster analysis