Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding
A selected set of 24 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were
analyzed to study genetic variability for total kernel
carotenoid concentration. The results revealed significant
genetic variation among the selected maize inbreds for
total carotenoid concentration with values ranging
from12.20-30.10 µg/g, and a mean of 21.87 µg/g. One of
the CIMMYT-HarvestPlus maize inbreds, HP19-33 recorded
the highest (30.10 µg/g) carotenoid concentration,
followed by DMRQPM-58 (28.40 µg/g), NAI115 (26.80 µg/
g), LM16 (25.87 µg/g), HP20-37 (25.80 µg/g), VQL1 (25.30
µg/g) and HP20-53 (24.40 µg/g). No significant difference
in total carotenoid concentration was observed among the
QPM and non-QPM inbred lines, although positive
correlation was found between kernel colour and total
carotenoid concentration. Deep orange kernel coloured
genotypes, in general, recorded higher levels of total
carotenoids as compared to those with yellow or pale
yellow kernel colour. Evaluation of different generations
derived from a cross DM QPM-58 x DMR QPM-28-03 at
Delhi and Pantnagar revealed polygenic control for total
kernel carotenoid concentration with some genes having
major effect. The study also indicated high heritability for
total carotenoids at both Delhi (96.9%) and Pantnagar
(95.6%). The carotenoid concentration of the same set of
genotypes across different environments was reasonably
stable, implying lesser influence of G x E for the trait.
Keywords: Carotenoids, genetic variation, heritability, Zea mays L.
Year: 2012
Volume: 72
Issue: 1
Article DOI: N/A
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
Anshuman Tiwari, Firoz Hossain info_circle
B. M. Prasanna info_circle
K. N. Guruprasad info_circle
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