Evaluation De La Diversité Agro-morphologique Des Accessions De Maïs (zea Mays L.) Originaires Des Oasis Sahariennes

In order to evaluate the native Algerian mays germplasm, 60 accessions originating from the South of Algeria were characterized using 17 quantitative descriptors. The analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p ˂ 0.05) between the accessions for eight quantitative characters which explained most of the observed variability. The comparison of means by the LSD (Least significant difference) test at 5% level of significance allowed us to separate the 60 accessions into several homogeneous groups. The principal component analysis (PCA) allowed us to know the relationship between the descriptors considered and to bring out those which discriminate our accessions of maize. The PCA partitioned the Saharan accessions, regardless of their geographic origin, into three contrasting groups identical to those identified following an ascending hierarchical classification (CAH). The characterization of the entire collection revealed a great phenotypic variability within the accessions and showed those that have traits of agronomic interest. The earliest accessions, adapted to short rainy seasons, would provide breeders with a simple tool to escape water stress. Likewise, genotypes characterized by short ASI (Anthesis Silking Interval) can also be used for drought tolerance.