Abstract

PENARANDA, María Isabel  and  NAVAS, Alejandro A. Molecular characterization and biochemical evaluation of elite Colombian maize germplasm and cultivars regarding their oil content. Agron. colomb. [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.1, pp.7-16. ISSN 0120-9965.

Evaluating germplasm by DNA fingerprinting or phenotyping represent necessary, commonly-used practices in improvement programmes. Molecular characterisation using microsatellite molecular markers, such as simple sequence repeats (SSR), and biochemical analysis allowed genetic diversity and oil content to be evaluated in 22 maize genotypes, including Colombian inbred germplasm and elite lines. The results presented broad genetic variability amongst genotypes, representing great potential for using the Colombian Maize germplasm bank in improvement programmes, especially in terms of generating a good hybrid. Biochemical evaluation allowed material having greater oil content to be identified and then evaluated regarding fatty acid profile. This study illustrated the use of SSR in gaining knowledge about heterotic groups, allocating them and revealing ancestral relationships among genotypes having known characteristics or pedigree. This further indicates that molecular characterisation allows genetic variability to be estimated and that it can be a useful tool for supporting conventional genetic improvement when combined with phenotypical characteristics of interest.

Keywords : Microsatellite; genetic variability; breeding; fingerprinting; heterosis; native cultivars.

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