Estimation of the breeding value of morphophysiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes using BLUP method

Knowledge of genes action on important traits and their breeding value is necessary to achieve high yielding cultivars in food crops. Molecular markers has eliminated the need for knowing the pedigree of genotypes for estimating Kiniship matrix required to estimate breeding values of taits of interest. In this research, 97 genotypes of maize were evaluated for 17 different agronomic triats using randomized complete block design with six replications at the faculty of agriculture of Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, in 2015. The molecular profile of maize genotypes was evaluated using 16 ISSR primers, and 78 polymorphic bands were amplified. Primers UBC825 and UBC811 produced the highest and lowest number of polymorphic bands, respectively. Breeding value of traits was calculated by best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) using linear mixed model (MLM) and Kinship matrix based on molecular data. Considering estimated breeding values for sum traits, genotypes P10L5, P16L6 Kahia, 14*89, OH43/1-42 and P10L7 had the highest rank. Genotype 163*/6/15, the only line of sixth group, had positive and high breeding value for leaf area ratio, and negative and low breeding value for trait of grain yield plant-1. Narrow sense heritability of traits was calculated based on beeding values. The highest narrow sense heritability belonged to tassel emergence date. The high narrow sense heritability facilitates selection for desirable trait based on its phenotypic expression. The positive breeding value indicates higher likelyhood of inheritance of desirable traits in next generation in maize breeding programs.