Phenotypic and genotypic data of 187 extra-early orange inbred lines evaluated under managed drought and well-water conditions at Ikenne for two seasons

Maize is one of the most important cereals in the world. Maximising hybrid vigour from heterosis requires adequate knowledge of genetic diversity. The study focuses on examining the population structure and genetic diversity of new extra-early elite orange maize inbred lines of the IITA-Maize Improvement Program using phenotypic and genome-wide SNP markers. One hundred and eighty-seven orange inbred lines sourced from four populations were phenotyped under well-watered conditions for two seasons and genotyped using the high-density DArTseq platform.