Differentiation of elite Indian maize hybrids using simple sequence repeat markers

As an initial attempt towards molecular characterization of maize hybrids released by public sector institutions in India, 10 popular hybrids, including six released and four promising experimental hybrids, were profiled using 20 polymorphic microsatellite or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The utility of SSRs in differentiating the selected hybrids was demonstrated using high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis. The polymorphic SSR markers identified in this study could clearly distinguish single-cross hybrids developed at Ludhiana, Delhi, Almora and Hyderabad. Cluster analysis based on SSR data delineated the selected hybrids into three distinct groups. While Paras showed considerable genetic similarity with the experimental hybrids developed at Hyderabad, Vivek Hybrid-4 and Vivek Hybrid-5 (from Armora) were found to be genetically distant from other hybrids. The cluster pattern was in close agreement with the pedigree of the parental lines of the single-cross hybrids analyzed in the study.