The Influence of Cytoplasmic Diversification on the Biochemical Composition of some Maize (Zea mays) Isolines
Abstract
Cytoplasmic male sterility discovery has led many researchers to move their studies towards
cytoplasmic diversification and their influence on the heredity of some agronomic traits in maize (Zea
mays). This study reflects the results regarding the influence of cytoplasmic diversification on some
biochemical components. The isolines were created using the backcross method with the nucleus
donor inbred line. Four cytoplasm donor inbred lines were used as maternal genotypes and each of
them was crossed with one of the five nucleus donor lines. All these isolines were crossed with four
testers, elite inbred lines, thus resulting 100 hybrids. The hybrids were self -pollinated in order to
conduct biochemical analysis to achieve a thorough description for the influence of cytoplasm on the
content of proteins, starch, fats, fiber and NCGD. Using isolines as maternal parent for some hybrids
has led to a slight decrease of the protein content, three cytoplasm led to a slight increase of fats and
all four-cytoplasm influenced in a positive way the NCGD.