Comparative isozyme polymorphisms of North American eastern gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides var. dactyloides and maize, Zea mays L
Kindiger, B.; Vierling, R., A.
Genetica 94(1): 77-83
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6707 Accession: 008350629
Random samples, consisting of at least 100 individual seedlings, were taken from the diploid (2n = 2x = 36) eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides var. dactyloides) and assayed to determine which of 12 enzyme marker loci and isozyme systems would be most informative in providing satisfactory resolution of both maize and Tripsacum isozyme systems. For comparison, eight maize inbreds were included in the study to aid evaluation and comparison of the various isozyme systems. In addition, evaluations were conducted to identify if the identified optimum isozyme system could be used to detect Tripsacum introgression in maize following a maize times Tripsacum backcrossing scheme. Using the established isozyme techniques for maize (Zea mays L.), the Adh, Pgd, Cat, Est, B-Glu, Got, Idh, Tpi isozyme systems detected no polymorphism among the Tripsacum individuals assayed. The Est and B-Glu systems for Tripsacum were unscorable due to poor staining and resolution. The Acp, Mdh, Pgm, and Phi isozyme systems were found to be satisfactory markers for differentiating between eastern gamagrass individuals as well as detecting Tripsacum introgression in maize. The availability of useful isozyme systems which can simultaneously provide significant isozyme resolution of maize, Tripsacum and maize-Tripsacum backcross hybrids, on a single gel system, will be useful for the detection of marker assisted Tripsacum introgression into maize. In addition, the identification of a set of variable biochemical markers should also assist breeding, selection and genetic manipulations in eastern gamagrass.