In the present study we have analyzed the genetic diversity pattern in a sample of 54 Italian maize landraces, using morphological traits and molecular markers. Although the 54 landraces surveyed in this study were restricted to Lombardy, the core region of maize production in Italy, our data revealed a large genetic heterogeneity for both morphological and molecular traits in the accessions analyzed. Additionally, our data confirm that the AFLP markers produced a high frequency of polymorphic bands and were able to unequivocally fingerprint each of the landraces considered. Cluster analysis based on AFLP markers displayed a clearer separation of the accessions in comparison to morphological data. Different populations were divided into four major clusters reflecting the geographical origin and seasonal employment of the landraces analyzed. Molecular analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.01) differences among groups, among populations within groups, and among individuals within populations. Approximately 74% of the total variance could be attributed to differences within populations. Conversely, a lower level of differentiation was detected among groups (approximately 4%). Regarding population structures, the genetic distance between populations (FST = 0.25 +/- 0.3) and the degree of inbreeding within groups (FSC = 0.22 +/- 0.2), did not diverge significantly, while both significantly differed from the degree of relatedness between markers within groups (FCT = 0.04 +/- 0.03). Results are discussed in relation to a suitable conservation method.

The aim of this research was the evaluation of food grain quality-related traits in a collection of maize populations of different origins, currently used in the framework of breeding and genetic programs. A total of 1245 maize samples were scanned by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to develop calibration equations to evaluate the content of crude protein, crude lipid, starch, and floatation area. The performances of the NIR equations developed in our study were assessed using the determination coefficient of cross-validation r(2) (ranging from 0.66 to 0.91) and the ratio of performance deviation (1.71-3.31) in flour starch and grain crude protein, respectively. Among the genotypes considered, 93 landraces belonging to the European Union Maize Landraces Core Collection (EUMLCC) were also analyzed for their content of lutein, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids. Among the populations of the collection, several accessions, interesting from a nutritional point of view, were identified: VA25, VA158, VA282, VA284, VA285, VA567, VA572, VA814, VA950, VA1057, and VA1179. They showed protein and lipid contents ranging between 12.52 and 15.16% and 5.26 and 7.17%. The range of variation observed for antioxidants in the EUMLCC was quite large. Lutein varied between 1.03 and 21.00 mg kg(-1) dm, zeaxanthin varied between 0.01 and 35.00 mg kg(-1) dm, and total carotenoids ranged from 1.09 to 61.10 mg kg(-1) dm. Recently, a single cross-hybrid was developed from the ITA0370005 population; this hybrid had a high carotenoids content and is currently being used by the Italian food industry.

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White maize varieties were mainly grown in Italy before the advent of hybrids. The characterisation of their nutritional quality and safety will help to enhance the biodiversity of traditional materials, and to exploit it for food production. In fact, in recent years attention has been focused on the use of white maize varieties for the preparation of maizebased gluten-free products for coeliacs. Moreover it is also known that mycotoxin contamination of maize grain is a global threat to the safety of both human food and feed. In order to recover the biodiversity of traditionally maize, twenty-one Italian white maize varieties available at CREA Bergamo genebank were cultivated in Bergamo and Cremona in 2016. These genotypes were evaluated for grain chemical composition and agronomic performance; moreover an inoculation trial was carried out to test their resistance/susceptibility to Fusarium verticillioides. Chemical composition of the grain showed a wide range of variability; the samples from Bergamo accumulated more starch, whereas the plants grown in Cremona showed a higher content of proteins, lipids and total antioxidant capacity. Some varieties (VA86, VA1239 and VA1245) were valuable in both environments for their protein and lipid content, while VA185 showed a good 1000 kernels weight, in addition to interesting values of yield and test weight. Considerable variability was observed in fumonisin contamination. The response to fungal attack was very different in the two environments, the varieties grown in Cremona showed higher number of infected kernels at the inoculum point and higher level of fumonisins compared to the plants grown in Bergamo. Interestingly, some varieties (VA117, VA1213) showed a low fumonisin contamination in both locations. These genotypes could be potentially suitable for breeding programs with the aim to find new sources of genetic variability to improve the nutritional quality of maize genotypes and their resistance to pathogens.