Genome Wide Assessment of Maize Genebank Diversity; Synthesis of Next Generation Technologies and GIS Based Approaches

The Seeds of Discovery Initiative (SeeD), endeavors to explore native genetic resources of maize and wheat and make availible to breeders useful genetic variation not present in modern breeding pools. As part of the efforts on maize we have over the last three years developed new genotyping methodologies targeted to exploration of genetic diversity in allogamous populations and have now characterised the entire international maize genebank collection held at CIMMYT using this method. In addition, we have worked to expand and add value to the passport data availible using GIS based analysis. Using both genotypic and GIS based data we have begun to explore and understand the genetic diversity and genetic space of the CIMMYT maize genebank collections and relate that to the current elite breeding materials developed at CIMMYT and elsewhere. Initial analysis of 20,000 maize accessions offer exciting opportunities for targeted data mining and phenotypic evaluation of high value accessions.