Genetic Analysis of Accumulation of Amylose and Resistant Starch in Subtropical Maize Hybrids

Abstract

AbstractAmylose and resistant starch (RS) possess numerous industrial applications and health benefits. However, maize grains possess low amylose (<35%) and RS (<5%). To date, no information is available on the genetic variability of amylose and RS in subtropical maize. Here, 21 hybrids developed using half‐diallel mating design are evaluated for starch parameters at three locations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a minor contribution for environments for amylose and RS. Amylose (22.2%–49.1%) and RS (1.02%–23.9%) showed wide variation among the hybrids. The experimental hybrids possessed significantly higher amylose (38.1%) and RS (20.9%) over the check hybrids (amylose: 29.1%, RS: 2.3%). PUSA‐AML‐H12, PUSA‐AML‐H18, and PUSA‐AML‐H16 are observed to be the most promising hybrids. Amylose and RS are positively correlated (r = 0.45), while total starch (TS) is negatively correlated with RS (r = −0.53). PMI‐AML‐147, PMI‐AML‐149, and PMI‐AML‐146 are the best general combiners for amylose and RS. Pusa‐AML‐H1, Pusa‐AML‐H12, and Pusa‐AML‐H5 emerged as the best specific combiners for amylose and RS. Both additive and nonadditive variances are important for amylose and RS. This is the first study of amylose and RS in a subtropical maize background, which could be significant in improving amylose and RS.