Improving the Carotenoid Content in Maize by Using Isonuclear Lines

Area of Science:

• Plant Breeding
• Agricultural Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Carotenoids are vital bioactive compounds for human health.
• Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally significant crop and a key dietary source of carotenoids.
• Enhancing carotenoid levels in maize is a primary objective in crop improvement research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of fertile cytoplasm on carotenoid content in maize inbred lines and hybrids.
• To analyze the genetic determinism of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene transmission.
• To understand cytoplasm-nucleus interactions influencing carotenoid profiles in maize.

Main Methods:

• Studied 25 isonuclear maize lines and 100 hybrids.
• Analyzed four key carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene.
• Utilized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Flexar system and UV-VIS detection.

Main Results:

• Cytoplasm alone showed no significant effect on carotenoid content in inbred lines.
• Cytoplasm × nucleus interactions were significant for carotenoid content in hybrids.
• Significant differences were observed for lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin due to cytoplasmic nuclear interactions in hybrids.
• Cytoplasm × nucleus × tester interactions significantly affected all studied carotenoid traits.

Conclusions:

• Cytoplasmic effects are minimal on carotenoid levels in maize inbred lines.
• Cytoplasm-nucleus interactions play a crucial role in determining carotenoid profiles of maize hybrids.
• These findings are vital for targeted breeding strategies to enhance carotenoid content in maize for improved nutrition.