Patterns of mitochondrial DNA variation in indigenous maize races of latin america

Mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) were isolated from 93 diverse races of maize from Latin America. DNAs were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis of undigested DNA and by BamHI and EcoRI cleavage fragment analysis. Eighteen races contained plasmid-like mtDNAs. One race contained the S-1 and S-2 molecules associated with the S cytoplasmic male-sterile, and 17 were found to have the R-1 and R-2 plasmid-like DNAs. BamHI digestion of mtDNAs generated ten distinct electrophoretograms, and Eco RI digestion produced eight different fragment patterns. Races were assigned to one of 18 groups according to EcoRI and BamHI fragment patterns and whether or not they contained plasmid-like DNAs. Eight races produced restriction patterns similar to one of the characterized cytoplasmic male-steriles C, T, or S. Races from Meso-America and some from South America with Meso-American affinities were separated from other South American races. South American races were placed in three general classes of related groups. There was considerable agreement among the groupings here and those based on morphological and cytological affinities.