Characterization of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> l.) germplasm with principal component analysis.

Abstract

Seventy-one (71) open pollinated maize genotypes of diverse agronomic and chemical characteristics were obtained from the germplasm collection of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for this study. The genotypes were planted out in an ear-to-row fashion in April 2000. In order to have a well organized and streamlined maize research program, it became important that these genotypes be characterized according to similarities in traits. Thus, the genotypes were subjected to principal component analysis; a tool which has the ability of grouping genotypes of identical genetic characteristics. Following the analysis, seven components whose eigenvalues were equal or more than one, accounted for more than 75% of the total variation in the data and centered on plant structure, yield, quality (lysine, protein, oil amylase and amylopectin) and maturity date. Consequently, the entire genotypes were successfully grouped into two, early and late maturing composite varieties with high yielding and high protein characteristics. The early maturing composite variety had mean number of days to 50% silking of 58 days and comprised 18 genotypes while the late maturing composite variety had mean number of days to 50% silking of 61 days and comprised 53 genotypes.

Agro-Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 66-71