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The research and genetic studies on maize are overgrowing since this crop is the primary commodity in many countries. Genebank, as the genetic reservoirs for such activities, need to enhance their competencies in conserving the germplasm, including developing a core collection subset as the diversity representative of the whole collection. This study aimed to investigate the effect of selecting a different kind of plant character used in the core collection development, which was constructed by Core Hunter 3, software for multi-purpose core development. Nine kernel characters of 1,279 maize accessions and 19 morpho-agronomic characters of 560 accessions were used to develop three sets of core collections with a targeted core size of 150 accessions. The result showed unexpected results since the inclusion of morpho-agronomic characters in maize core collection development apparently could not increase the diversity properties of the core. They were indicated by the lower value of the Shannon index, VD, VR, and CR as the parameters representing how much variation could be retained by the core. However, another valuable piece of information had been obtained when the three core collections selected the same 14 accessions as the core members. These accessions, selected by three cores, could be categorized as accessions that contribute the most to the diversity of the maize germplasm collections and could be prioritized for long-term conservation and important genetic studies in maize research and development. The results of this study served as well-proven evidence regarding the dynamics of core collection development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.), a model genetic organism with immense genetic diversity, is one of the major commodities in Indonesia. The genetic diversity of this crop is an important resource for their genetic improvement through breeding activities, thus properly conserving and managing the germplasm is necessary. This valuable maize ex situ germplasm is being prioritized to be conserved in the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development-Indonesian Center for Agricultural and Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development Gene Bank (IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Gene Bank) for decades. However, the diversity information of the whole germplasm has been not reported due to the large collection which is challenged for the management. The research aimed at investigating the genetic diversity from whole maize germplasm conserved in IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Gene Bank, specifically on kernel characteristics as a major trait contributes to maize diversity. A total of 1,279 accessions were characterized for their kernel characteristics using a modified maize descriptor and followed by a series of diversity analyses. The results showed a moderate-high genetic diversity existed among the accessions. Two out of nine kernel morphological characters revealed the major contribution to genetic diversity among the accessions. These characters successfully differentiated all accessions into ten clusters, of which specific traits were observed as cluster identity. This preliminary investigation of kernel diversity within maize germplasm may become valuable information for gene bank managers to determine the appropriate decision for germplasm management and inform users about the existing diversity profile of the germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]