Phenotyping of maize inbred lines for beta-carotene and determining relationship with total carotenoids and kernel colour in maize

Abstract

Availability of variable amount of provitamin A carotenoids in maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm makes it a potential crop that can be exploited in biofortification programs. However, characterization of germplasm for identification of high provitamin A might help maize breeder to integrate high provitamin A lines with other important parameters mainly yield.The present study was, therefore, undertaken to determine total carotenoids (TC) and beta-carotene (bC) in high yielding 32 inbred lines of maize and also to develop simple selection criteria based on relationship of bC with TC and kernel colour. The 32 inbred lines exhibited bC of minimum of 0 μg/g (white kernel lines) to 4.814 μg/g (Pant13k 2121) dry weight with mean value of 2.58 μg/g whereas TC was found to vary from minimum 3.34 μg/g to maximum of 27.44 μg/g dry weight with mean value of 19.28 μg/g. TC and bC was relatively higher for orange shades as compared to different yellow shades. Kernel color established positive correlation with TC as well as bC with very low coefficient of determination (0.108). This indicates that visual selection based on kernel color may not be effective improving carotenoids in maize. However, association of TC and bC was significantly positive with high coefficient of determination.Further, molecular characterization is done by LcyE and CrtRB1 markers.