Classification of some indigenous maize collections from Southern and Southeastern Europe

✍ Scribed by R. J. Edwards; Earl R. Leng

• Book ID: 104617764
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1965
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 457 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0014-2336
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00038982

✦ Synopsis

A race classification, based on multiple variate analysis using 23 morphological characteristics, was applied to 42 indigenous maize strains from Southeastern Europe, 20 "race" collections from Spain and 2 Corn Belt Dent hybrids from the United States. Based on the evidence obtained and on comparisons with other studies, the Southeastern European strains were assigned to one of seven races or race groups, of which at least five appear on historical evidence to be derived directly or by recent hybridization from importations originating in North America. In contrast, the majority of the Spanish collections appeared to have their origins in importations from Central America or the West Indies. Very little similarity was observed between the Spanish and Southeastern European collections, when considered overall.

Detailed classification and study of European maize appears highly desirable as an aid to utilization of this potentially valuable germ plasm in world maize breeding programs.