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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
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High-throughput, Microscale Protocol for the Analysis of Processing Parameters and Nutritional Qualities in Maize Zea mays L.
Published on: June 16, 2018
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Developing and deploying an efficient genotyping workflow for accelerating maize improvement in developing countries.
Queen Offornedo1, Abebe Menkir1, Deborah Babalola1
1Bioscience Center and Maize Improvement Program, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Headquarters, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200001, Nigeria.
Gates Open Research
|July 3, 2023
Summary
A new genotyping workflow using competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) significantly speeds up molecular breeding for maize. This cost-effective method accelerates genetic gain and quality control in developing countries.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Molecular breeding is crucial for crop improvement and food security.
- Low-cost genotyping platforms are needed to support molecular breeding in developing nations.
- Public laboratories can implement marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quality control (QC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a cost-effective genotyping workflow for maize.
- To accelerate molecular breeding activities in resource-limited settings.
- To validate the workflow for quality control and marker-assisted selection.
Main Methods:
- An optimized workflow using an in-house competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) genotyping system was developed.
- Streamlined sample collection, DNA extraction (modified CTAB), and quantitation were employed.
- KASP genotyping and data analysis were performed in-house for QC and MAS experiments.
Main Results:
- The optimized workflow reduced experiment time from over five weeks to two weeks, eliminating shipping costs.
- 28 KASP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) confirmed genetic identity of maize varieties.
- 10 KASP SNPs verified parentage of F1 lines, and MAS was successfully applied to breeding programs.
Conclusions:
- The improved workflow accelerates maize improvement and DNA fingerprinting for crop variety tracking.
- National Agricultural Research Systems in developing countries can adopt this workflow.
- This facilitates rapid molecular marker-based genotyping for enhanced crop improvement.
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