Studies on applying SNP markers to breeding drought-tolerant maize hybrids

Abstract

The results of testing the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center’s (CIMMYT’s) hybrid combinations, developed from hybrid 790 F₂₃ lines and 10 parental lines, using two testers (CML451 and CLO2450) under optimal and managed drought conditions in Ninh Thuan, Vietnam, show that the average grain yield of the biparental (BP) groups of heterosis groups A and B is, respectively, 2.58-3.65 tons/ha and 2.56-2.76 tons/ha in drought conditions, and 4.24-5.02 tons/ha and 5.41-5.93 tons/ha in well- watered conditions, respectively. The result was that 57 SNP markers related to drought tolerance were found useful to these populations. In addition, 27 F₂ families demonstrating drought tolerance and high grain yield were selected as primary materials for breeding maize hybrids tolerant to stresses and adaptive to climate change.