Abstract

Ten maize accessions (labelled as PF-ZM plus number) from Eastern Serbia were characterized by means of morphological and storage protein analysis. Estimation of 20 morphological traits was based on the IBP-GR Descriptors for maize. Zein composition was determined by the SDS gel electrophoresis. Variation of morphological characteristics among populations ranged from 4% for kernel width to 28% for kernel length. Accessions with the highest values of morphological traits were identified: PF-ZM 4 for ear diameter and kernel length, PF-ZM 5 for number of leaves and diameters of cob and rachis, PF-ZM 12 for leaf width and kernel thickness, PF-ZM 18 for number of kernels per row, PF-ZM 34 for number of ears per plant, venation index, number of rows per ear, and diameter of ear basis, and finally PF-ZM 37 for plant height, leaf length, and ear length.The gel electrophoresis showed the presence of five different fractions of zein proteins, which were classified as alpha-zeins and gamma-zeins. The alpha-zeins comprised on average 64 percent of the total registered zeins. Molecular weights of alpha-zein fractions identified on the gels were 17, 18, 21 and 24 kDa, and the only fraction identified as gamma-zein was 27 kDa.The assessment of morphological / productive traits of landraces, together with molecular markers, could represent a prerequisite for their protection. At the same time, such information could be of importance for both scientists and breeders.

Keywords

Maize (Zea mays); Local varieties; Germoplasm Characterization and conservation; Zein proteins

Published in

Maydica
2010, Volume: 55, number: 3-4, pages: 231-238

SLU Authors

• Iwarsson, Mattias

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Minina, Alyona

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre


Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Food Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/33803