Evaluation of Maize Genetic Resources in Kazakhstan for Grain Protein Content

摘要

Germplasm banks, in general, hold enough diversity for many traits that their identification still remains unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the maize diversity in Kazakhstan for grain protein content by developing a core collection using agronomic data and its posterior biochemical analysis. The development of a core collection was carried out using two approaches: random and statistical (cluster analysis) methods. The assembled core was evaluated for grain protein and starch content. In 2004 the entire collection (931 accessions) was checked for the descriptors data. A subset of 509 accessions was selected as domain since it contains heterogeneous data (6 to 10 descriptors). The rest 422 accessions were omitted because of only passport data. Seven cores were developed using two approaches: random and cluster analysis using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average). The best core was selected (97.5% of diversity captured from the entire collection) for further analysis of grain protein and starch. From this core, 27 entries with enough amount of seeds for analysis were evaluated and ranked. The protein content ranged from 8.62% to 17.04%. Eighteen samples showed protein over 14% of which 4 had more than 16%. The samples with high protein content found in this study promise to be a good source for breeding towards improved nutrition value. Nevertheless, a posterior evaluation using new regenerated seeds is recommended to check the role of "concentration effects" in high protein seeds.