Biochemical analysis and validation of molecular markers for identification of quality protein maize

Abstract

Twenty two inbreds of maize comprising ten OQL(Odisha QPM Lines), ten non-QPM and two standard QPM inbreds (CML 176 and CML 186) were tested for crude protein, tryptophan and lysine content in seed. Seed protein in OQL inbreds was qualitatively rich in tryptophan and lysine content (0.77% and 3.13%), and it was nearly double as compared to non-QPM inbreds (0.40% and 1.61%). OQL 17-3 and OQL 42-9 had total crude seed protein >8% and harbour high tryptophan (>0.90%) and lysine content (>3.60%). These may serve as valuable material for development of QPM hybrids. PCR products amplified by phi 057 primer in non-QPM and QPM inbreds co-segregated with the expected variation in lysine and tryptophan content. Thus, the marker phi 057 could be reliably used for marker-assisted selection to track inheritance of QPM status.