MULTIVARIATE ANALYSES OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF FORTY-SEVEN STRIGA RESISTANT TROPICAL EARLY MATURING MAIZE INBRED LINES

Abstract

Grouping of inbred lines on the basis of phenotypic values of genetic traits is highly desirable in maize breeding in designing guidelines for use in devel- oping heterotic pools, populations, and synthetic vari- eties. Forty-seven Striga resistant, early maturing inbred lines derived from five different source materials were evaluated during the 2000 rainy season and the 2001 dry season at Ferkessedougou in Cote d'Ivoire under artificial Striga infestation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the Ward's minimum variance cluster analysis of the inbred lines based on the similarity of quantitative charac- ters produced four major clusters. The four clusters de- rived from the Ward's cluster procedure showed remark- able correspondence with the PCA. The grouping of the inbred lines was independent of the genetic background from which they were derived or the endosperm color, indicating that the inbred lines had diverse genetic back- grounds and could be used to develop broad-based pools and populations. Based on the results of this study, it may be predicted that superior specific hybrid combinations could be obtained by crossing inbred lines between rather than within clusters. Eight promising inbred lines were identified that combined high grain yield with re- duced Striga damage symptom and numbers of emerged Striga plants. These could be used as sources of Striga re- sistance for the development of synthetics and for use in the national maize breeding programs in West and Central Africa (WCA).