Characterization of b-carotene rich MAS-derived maize inbreds possessing rare genetic variation in b-carotene hydroxylase gene

Abstract

Traditional yellow maize kernels though contain enough carotenoids, the concentration of b-carotene is quite low. A rare natural variant of crtRB1 gene enhances b-carotene in the kernel by blocking its conversion to further components. b-carotene rich versions of inbreds, VQL1, VQL2,V335,V345, HKI161, HKI323 and HKI1105 developed through marker-assisted backcross breeding strategy were characterized for selected DUS-characters, yield and yield, attributing traits. The crtRB1-introgressed inbreds displayed high degree of phenotypic resemblance with their respective original parents for majority of the characters. V335 based introgressed inbreds displayed 100% phenotypic similarity to original parent, followed by VQL1 (88.9-100%), HKI161 (88.9-100%),VQL2 (94.4%),V345 (88.9%), HKI323 (83.3-94.4%) and HKI1105 (77.8-83.3%) based introgressed inbreds. Introgressed inbreds having contrast for pigmentation in glume base and silk (with respective recurrent parents) possess great utility for registration and unambiguous identification in the field. These newly developed b-carotene rich maize inbreds hold enormous potential in maize biofortification programme.