Abstract
In this study, genetic diversity and population structure among 79 popcorn inbred lines were investigated using 10morphological traits and 50 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. From population structure analysis, the 79 maize inbred lineswere divided into five groups: I, II, III, IV, and admixed. Among them, 4 inbred lines were assigned to group I, 17 inbred lineswere assigned to group II, and 6 and 22 inbred lines were respectively assigned to groups III and IV. The rest 30 inbred lineswere contained in the admixed group. Association mapping analysis for popcorn inbred lines was performed to assess themarker-trait associations between the 50 SSR markers and the 10 morphological traits. At a significance level of 0.01, we found92 marker-trait associations using the Q GLM model. While, using the Q+K MLM model, we found 6 marker-trait associationsat a significance level of 0.01. Finally, this study\'s assessment of population structure and association mapping of 79 popcorninbred lines will be helpful useful for popcorn breeding programs such activities as planning crosses for hybrid and linedevelopment at Maize Experiment Station, Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services.
