Maize (Zea mays L.) from the Saharan oasis: adaptation to temperate areas and agronomic performance

Abstract

Saharan maize had been adapted to extreme conditions and could have developed resistance to different stresses. However, genebanks and breeding collections have poor representation from Saharan germplasm and, particularly, from Algeria. This is a preliminary approach to investigate the adaptation and agronomic performance of a representative sample of Saharan maize. We evaluated open-pollinated Saharan populations along with European and American cultivars during two years in humid and dry Spanish locations and in Algiers (Algeria). Saharan populations were able to grow in temperate environments, although results were not consistent over years and the genotype-by-environment interactions were very important. Some of the Algerian populations evaluated in 2010 showed promising yield and anthesissilking interval over environments, but none of the Algerian populations evaluated in 2009 were adequately adapted to Spanish conditions. These results suggest that there are wide ranges of variability within Saharan maize for adaptation to temperate conditions, and further evaluations of Saharan maize should identify potential base populations for breeding maize in either side of the Mediterranean Sea. However, this germplasm requires prebreeding for adaptation to temperate conditions in order to be adequate for breeding programs in temperate areas.

Heterotic Patterns among Algerian, US Corn Belt, and European Flint Maize Populations under the Mediterranean Conditions of North Africa

“…Contrarily, maize landraces are considered reservoirs of favorable alleles that should be used for broadening the base breeding populations (Wietholter et al, 2008;Prasanna, 2012). However, little information is currently available about maize diversity from North Africa, except for Algerian maize populations (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013). However, little information is currently available about maize diversity from North Africa, except for Algerian maize populations (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013).…”

“…However, little information is currently available about maize diversity from North Africa, except for Algerian maize populations (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013). Djemel et al (2012) and Aci et al (2013) revealed that Algerian maize exhibits a high degree of phenotypic and genetic diversity and a wide range of adaptation to temperate regions. Weatherwax and Randolph (1955) reported that Saharan maize originated from tropical introductions from Spain during the 16th century and from subsequent introduction from African neighboring countries (Aci et al, 2013).…”

“…A high degree of phenotypic and genetic diversity with a wide range of variability for adaptation to temperate regions was detected (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013). A high degree of phenotypic and genetic diversity with a wide range of variability for adaptation to temperate regions was detected (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013).…”

“…Weatherwax and Randolph (1955) reported that Saharan maize originated from tropical introductions from Spain during the 16th century and from subsequent introduction from African neighboring countries (Aci et al, 2013). Djemel et al (2012) and Aci et al (2013) revealed that Algerian maize exhibits a high degree of phenotypic and genetic diversity and a wide range of adaptation to temperate regions. Beyene et al (2006) confirmed that the maize variability available in African countries is large and could be the basis of breeding programs.…”

“…Many maize accessions have been collected around the world. However, little information is currently available about maize diversity from North Africa, except for Algerian maize populations (Djemel et al, 2012;Aci et al, 2013). In 2009, some maize populations were collected from a subtropical area in the Algerian Sahara oases.…”