Morphological characterization of six starchy corn varieties (Zea mays L.), evaluated at the Mantacra location, Pampas Huancavelica, Peru

Abstract

The information generated in morphological characterization studies is very useful, both for genetic improvement programs and for germplasm banks, guaranteeing the crop's preservation genetic diversity. In this sense, the aim of this study was to perform the morphological characterization of a starchy corn varieties group evaluated at the Mantacra location in the 2018 – 2019 crop season. In total, 20 plant and ear characters were used, including the yield components. Arandomized complete block design with three repetitions was used. The experimental plot was constituted by two rows of 4 m long, with spatial arrangements of 0.80 m between rows and 0.20 m between plants. Aunivariate statistical analysis was performed with each characters studied and a main components multivariate analysis, in order to facilitate the characterization of the genotypes considered in the study. The variance analysis results detected important statistical differences (p≤0.05; p <0.01) among the varieties for most characters studied, demonstrating the genetic diversity among the group of varieties. The main components analysis grouped the varieties into four different groups, according to the characters studied, where the improved variety presented the highest productivity levels. An orthogonal contrast between the improved varieties yield average and the local varieties yield average, determined the improved varieties superiority of the yield, demonstrating the genetic improvement importance in the new cultivars development.