Marker genotyping
Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of maize inbred lines is fundamental for effective hybrid development and strategic heterosis exploitation. The objective of this study was to refine and validate heterotic groups within a diverse collection of extra-early and early maturing tropical yellow and orange maize inbred lines. A total of 1,437 elite tropical yellow and orange maize inbred lines comprising early and extra-early maturing classes was genotyped using a panel of 3,305 DArTtag SNP markers. The results obtained provide a robust framework for parental line selection, heterotic grouping, and hybrid breeding strategies, facilitating the development of extra-early and early superior yellow and orange maize hybrids adapted to tropical environments.