Comparative Morphological and SSR-Based Molecular Characterization of Zea nicaraguensis and the Maize Inbred Line

Understanding the divergence between cultivated maize and its wild relatives is important for exploiting novel alleles in crop improvement. In the present investigation, Zea nicaraguensis was compared with LM13, a cultivated maize inbred line selected as the agronomic comparator because of its adaptation and suitability as a potential recurrent parent in introgression breeding. Field evaluation at Pantnagar and Kyrdemkulai for 25 agro-morphological traits revealed clear phenotypic differences between the two genotypes. LM13 flowered earlier, exhibited a positive anthesis-silking interval, and had longer ears and higher 100-seed weight, whereas Z. nicaraguensis showed delayed flowering, protogyny, stronger anthocyanin pigmentation, and taller plant stature. SSR marker analysis identified 95 polymorphic markers, indicating clear molecular differentiation between the two genotypes. These findings demonstrate the potential of Z. nicaraguensis as a valuable donor of novel alleles for pre-breeding and introgression programmes aimed at broadening the maize gene pool and improving stress adaptation.