Genetic diversity in a population of creole maize (Zea mays L.) evaluated by microsatellite markers in Puerto Libertador, Córdoba

Abstract

Maize a plant of Mesoamerican origin, has evolved in different microenvironments, generating the great diversity of maize that exists in the world. In order to determine the genetic diversity of a population of Creole maize, twelve microsatellite markers were evaluated in 30 accessions, in Puerto Libertador, Córdoba. The DNA of each accession was extracted using the PROMEGA kit, the markers were amplified by the PCR technique and the amplicons were run on polyacrylamide gels, the gels were digitalized and the molecular sizes were determined by an exponential model. Results showed a total of 66 alleles and an average of alleles of 5.5, the expected heterozygosity was 0.655, the values of the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.352 to 0.838, with an average of 0.592 and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium showed imbalance (p <0.05). This work revealed that the studied accessions of Creole maize showed a high degree of polymorphism, high genetic variability and microsatellite markers were the appropriate for the evaluation of genetic diversity. This information shows to be useful for the conservation and protection of the genetic diversity of the studied Creole Maize.

Keywords

• Alleles
• Genetic Diversity
• heterozygosity
• corn
• Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium