Characterization using molecular markers is not influenced by environmental factors; hence, it can provide an accurate picture of kinship relationships between species and distant relatives. The presented research aims to determine the genetic diversity and kinship relationship among 12 local Balinese maize (Zea mays L.) accessions, resulting from the exploration of one drought-resistant and high-yielding maize cultivar (Lamuru) with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The DNA amplification carried out by the study used a BIO-RAD T100 PCR instrument. The calculation of 10 SSR markers information utilized the iMEC online software, with the data analyzed using NTSYS 2.02 software to produce a dendrogram (phylogenetic analysis). The dendrogram development engaged the Jaccard similarity coefficient and the UPGMA clustering method. After studying their genetic profiles, the local Balinese maize accessions were genetically diverse. Assessing 12 local Balinese maize accessions and one superior cultivar revealed locations at a Jaccard similarity coefficient of 0.28 to 0.65. Maize accession Putih Bayung Gede (Karo) was the most distinct genotype, separating at a coefficient of 0.28. The separation of two other maize accessions, Berondong Lokal, and Kuning/Panes Daup, from the other 10 maize genotypes had a coefficient of 0.35. Accession Ketan Belok Sidan had the most similar DNA profile to the high-yielding maize cultivar, Lamuru, with a similarity coefficient of 0.65.
Maize (Z. mays L.), dendrogram, exploration, genetic diversity, Jaccard similarity coefficient, kinship relationships
Local Balinese maize (Z. mays L.) accessions occurred highly diverse regarding their genetic profile. Twelve local Balinese maize accessions, i.e., Lokal Landih, Barak Bayung Gede, Putih Bayung Gede (Karo), Lokal Bangli, Barak Keliki Kintamani, Pengootan, Berondong Lokal, Kuning/Panes Daup, Injin Daup, Bali Malet Gusti, Barak Belok Sidan, and Ketan Belok Sidan and one high-yielding and drought-resistant cultivar (Lamuru) underwent evaluation, and they laid between Jaccard similarity coefficients of 0.28 and 0.65.