Description:
Panels of diverse materials have proven to be very useful in evaluation of the organization of genetic diversity available for breeding at phenotypic and genotypic levels. In this study, a panel consisting of several groups of maize inbreds was tested using microstelite markers. The aim of this study was to test genetic diversity and define population structure of twenty-four genotypes differing in kernel type (dent, flint, popcorn, sweet maize) and kernel color (white, yellow, orange) with 21 SSRs. Genetic diversity parameters such as number of alleles, gene diversity, observed heterozygosity, PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) and number of unique alleles were determined. In addition, genetic distances according to Rogers distance were calculated. The values for all parameters were high, reflecting high genetic divergence of analyzed germplasm. Distance matrix based on UPGMA cluster analysis showed moderate congruence to available pedigree/origin or kernel type/color data. Genetic structure of tested genotypes was defined using Bayesian model-based clustering, without a considerable difference in comparison to cluster data analysis. The determined diversity parameters along with the results concerning genetic structure analysis provided a valuable information for improved selection efficiency.