Resumen

CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Eduardo de la et al. In situ Phenotypic Diversity in Maize Native to the Zoque Region of Chiapas, Mexico. Rev. fitotec. mex [online]. 2026, vol.49, n.1, pp.135-140.  Epub 02-Jun-2026. ISSN 0187-7380.  https://doi.org/10.35196/rfm.2026.1.135.

In the northern region of the state of Chiapas, Mexico, little is known about the diversity of native maize varieties grown there, making research into this area important for better use and conservation. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the in situ phenotypic variation of native maize varieties in the communities of Benito Juárez and Miguel Hidalgo, in the municipality of Copainalá, Chiapas, Mexico. Twenty-seven morphological descriptors of the plant, ear, cob, grains, and stover were measured in 30 native maize populations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were performed on the data obtained. The first five principal components explained 69.0 % of the variation observed in the populations evaluated. CA distributed the diversity studied into five groups based on the origin of the populations. The characteristics that contributed most to explaining the variability of the populations were plant height, leaf size, ear length, cob length, number of rows, and number of grains per row. The Olotillo race, which predominates in the region, showed wide phenotypic variation; for example, in grain color (white, yellow, cream, and purple or blue). Within this race, populations 17, 23, and 25 of white bacalito (Olotillo) are promising for use as parents in a genetic improvement program for the study region.

Palabras llave : Zea mays L.; maize germplasm; milpa; phenotypic diversity.

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