The Rediscovery of Traditional Maize Agrobiodiversity: A Study Case from Northern Italy

Nowadays, agriculture is under the pressure of climate change and new pathogen outbreaks while farmers are requiring breeders to develop more resistant resilient genotypes. The genetic base for breeding may be increased through appropriate conservation, description characterization local varieties germplasm collections that have never been used in breeding, which could sources useful alleles. In this framework, present paper focuses on eight maize landraces eastern part Emilia-Romagna, derived from Italian collection sampled 1954. Landraces characterized by a short cycle length different kernel types—mainly flint-like or an intermediate type yellow yellow–orange color—while dent less represented. Pigmented white corns absent even though one landrace (Va213) showed presence scattered blue kernels ears. Ear shape frequently conical, trait associated with drought-resistance common traditional landraces. Genetic was carried out 529 individuals using 10 SSR markers. A total 68 alleles, ranging 4 markers (phi084 umc1401) 11 (phi031) 27 (Va217) 50 (Va211), were evidenced at individual population level. AMOVA analysis revealed small amount (19%) variability between populations, as supported also PCoA, only exception Va217, others, phylogenetic analysis. Population structure resulted identification three four levels, consistent previous results.