Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Maize Genotyping

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal that plays a crucial role in alleviating food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to its high yield potential, and low cost. It is an important staple food crop that over 900 million people depend on (https://www.cimmyt.org). Maize is highly nutritious and contains 72% starch, 10% protein, and 4% fat. It is a rich energy source, supplying about 19.5% calories, and it is the world's highest supplier of calories. However, its production is constantly hampered by a plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses. Plant breeders have used conventional breeding methods for crop improvement; however, this method can be laborious, expensive, and easily influenced by the environment. To complement conventional breeding methods, molecular markers were used. Molecular markers are not affected by the environmental factors, crop developmental stages and are also ubiquitous throughout plant genomes can be incorporated into the breeders’ toolbox. Molecular markers can be used for quality control (genotype identification), marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection.