Identification of Inter simple sequence repeat regions associated with agro-morphological traits in maize genome

Maize (Zea mays L.) as a model plant is important from agricultural, feed and industrial point view. Most of economically important traits and morphological traits are controlled by several genes and also influenced by environment effects and hence possessed complicated genetic control. This research was aimed to study the genetic control and identification of genomic regions controlling agro-morphological traits in maize germplasm using association analysis approach. Maize inbred lines were evaluated based on morphological and 16 ISSR primers. Results of morphological and genetically evaluations trials revealed existence of genetic variability in the studied germplasm which is mandatory item for successful association analysis study. Analysis of population structure using 81 ISSR loci divided the population into 2 sub-populations. Among studied lines, lines 1387/193/chase (Mashhad population) and 66*1388 (Mashhad population) showed maximum genetic admixture. Association analysis using MLM model represented 25 ISSR loci which possessed significant relation with studied traits. Positive markers identified in this research, could effectively applied in marker assisted selection programs to achieve suitable parental lines and also improvement of trait of interest. Also, this is resulted that inter simple sequence regions have acceptable ability and performance in association mapping of maize.