Use of Genetic and Phenotypic Variability of Romanian Local Population Maize

The continuous and significant loss of genetic variability in most crops, observed in recent years, has stimulated a growing interest in biodiversity conservation. Local germplasm represents valuable source of genetic variability in grain quality. In this paper, aspects regarding the collection, study and conservation of local maize germplasm were followed. The germplasm was characterized in terms of phenotypic variability and potential for use in hybrid crosses. Subsequently, a series of crosses were made with inbred lines on various types of male-sterile cytoplasms, in order to observe their reaction. The Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda had an impressive collection of local populations (over 1200 origins) but after selection only 376 remained, the rest being eliminated due to phenotypic similarity. Some of them were included in 20 synthetic populations created out of the desire to concentrate more valuable genes from local populations. Following the study of the general and specific combining ability for several agronomic traits, some local populations were noted as valuable. The inbred lines obtained through selection from local populations were crossed with 4 elite lines, from different heterotic groups. The T291 inbred line, obtained from a local population from Mureş County, was the highest yielding. Local germplasm (local population or derived inbred lines) generally exhibit good specific combining capacity for grain production in interaction with elite inbred lines.