Exploring maize genetic diversity – a quality-driven perspective

Abstract

"In Portugal, and to a certain extent, farmers keep growing traditional maize populations known for their bread quality, conserving simultaneously their high genetic diversity. Maize populations, genetically more heterogeneous than commercial hybrid varieties, can evolve and better adapt to a changing broader range of edaphic-climatic conditions. Unfortunately, these maize populations suffer from a real risk of disappearing, due to their characteristic low yields. It is, therefore, desirable to improve their agronomic performance while maintaining their valuable diversity levels.(...)"