DNA Molecular Markers Depicted Genetic Variability and Heterotic Pattern Among Maize Inbred Lines

Since crosses of lines with suitable genetic distance produce excellent hybrids, the identification of genetic diversity between Zea mays L. inbred lines in hybrid maize breeding programs has a high priority. A total of 27 inbred lines plus B73 and Mo17 (Sc7 parents) were evaluated by 15 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. Inbreds were selected randomly from inbred lines from the Agriculture & Natural Resources Research Center of Khuzestan. A total of 107 polymorphic bands (85.5%) were detected out of 127 bands with an average PIC of 80%, which shows an acceptable variation in the genetic material of the center. Dendrograms were produced based on simple matching similarity coefficients and furthest neighbor (complete linkage) clustering algorithm. In the dendrogram created, genotypes were categorized into three groups. At least two heterotic groups can be identified among maize germplasm from this center. The results of the current investigation, despite the lack of pedigree information for the lines studied, could shed light on the management and utilization of these lines to develop new hybrid varieties.