Genetic diversity assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines based on physiological traits under zinc-sufficient and zinc-deficient conditions using factor analysis

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.

2 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Western Azerbaijan, Iran.

3 Department of plant production and genetic engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Saravan. Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.

4 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University,Western Azerbaijan, Iran.

10.22069/ejcp.2026.24131.2715

Abstract

Background and objectives
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide, playing a key role in food security, livestock nutrition, and the food industry. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc (Zn), are among the major constraints in agricultural soils, exerting detrimental effects on plant growth and yield. Zinc deficiency is one of the most widespread micronutrient disorders in cropping systems, reducing productivity and nutritional quality and thereby representing a serious threat to food security. As a Zn-sensitive crop and an indicator of soil Zn status, maize requires breeding programs informed by precise evidence on genetic diversity and physiological responses. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and changes in the correlation structure of physiological and biochemical traits under two Zn nutritional levels.
Materials and Methods
This study evaluated 95 maize inbred lines under two nutritional regimes: Zn-sufficient (with zinc sulfate fertilizer) and Zn-deficient (without zinc sulfate). The experiment was conducted using an alpha-lattice design with two replications over two years. In total, 21 physiological and biochemical traits were assessed. Combined ANOVA under both Zn regimes was performed using SAS 9.4, and Pearson correlation analysis as well as factor analysis were conducted in R using the relevant statistical packages.
Results
Combined ANOVA revealed significant effects of genotype as well as genotype × environment and genotype × year interactions at the 1% probability level, indicating substantial genetic variation and differential responses across environments. Under Zn deficiency, mean values of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and seed iron increased, indicating activation of oxidative defense pathways and metabolic adjustment. In contrast, under Zn sufficiency, higher levels of catalase (CAT), seed protein, seed carbohydrate, and mineral elements such as potassium, zinc, and phosphorus were observed, reflecting a greater allocation of resources to growth and storage. Correlation analysis showed positive and significant associations between photosynthetic pigments and metabolic indicators under Zn sufficiency, whereas these associations weakened or shifted under Zn deficiency—for example, seed carbohydrate became associated with chlorophyll b, proline, and leaf protein. The stability of significant correlations among chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll under both Zn regimes indicates their potential as reliable and stable indicators for indirect screening of Zn-efficient genotypes. Factor analysis with varimax rotation highlighted the latent structure of the traits: three factors were extracted under Zn deficiency, explaining 33% of the total variance, whereas under Zn sufficiency, seven factors were identified, accounting for 54% of the total variance.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrated significant genetic diversity among the evaluated maize lines for key photosynthetic, nitrogen-related, and antioxidative traits. This diversity was more evident in photosynthetic and nitrogen-associated pathways in leaves and seeds under Zn deficiency, whereas under Zn sufficiency, a more complex factorial structure involving metabolic and storage-related traits emerged. Since traits such as chlorophyll pigments, leaf and seed protein, leaf and seed nitrogen, as well as selected antioxidative indicators exhibited both high inter-genotypic variability and differential behavior under Zn deficiency, they can serve as reliable criteria for preliminary screening of genotypes capable of adapting to Zn-limited conditions. These findings provide a suitable perspective for the use of physiological and biochemical traits in maize breeding programs aimed at improving Zn efficiency.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Crop Production
Volume 18, Issue 4
December 2026
Pages 119-142

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