Stability Analysis and Heterotic Studies in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds to Develop Hybrids With Low Phytic Acid and High-Quality Protein.

J Lydia Pramitha,Meenakumari Balakrishnan,Firoz Hossain,John Joel,Kumari Vinothana,D Uma,K R V Sathyasheela,Raveendran Muthurajan,Ravikesavan Rajasekaran

doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.781469

Abstract

Maize is a major staple crop with high value as food and feed in the poultry sector. Considering the overall nutritional value, maize-based diets comprise two major constraints, i.e., higher phytic acid (PA) and lack of tryptophan. To overcome these issues, a set of identified stable donors for low PA (lpa) and higher tryptophan were crossed in a line × tester fashion, and the hybrids obtained were evaluated at three locations with two replications. Among the inbreds for yield, UMI 1201 and UMI 1205 were the stable good combiners, and for PA, UMI 447 and LPA-2-285 were identified as efficient combiners across locations. Subsequently, 72 hybrids developed from these inbreds had a reduced phytate and higher tryptophan compared with checks having alterations in their yield levels. From Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplots, DMR-QPM-09-13-1 × UMI 1099 (PA:9.38 mg/g, trp:0.06%, and yield:184.35 g) and UMI 1205 × UMI 467 (PA:7.04 mg/g, trp:0.06%, and yield:166.39 g) were stable for their high yield with medium PA and tryptophan. Also, across environments, UMI 1200 × UMI 467 had a stable average yield of 129.91 g along with the lowest PA of 4.50 mg/g and higher tryptophan of 0.07%. Thus, these hybrids could be selected and evaluated in upcoming biofortification trials to benefit the poultry sector. Furthermore, the parental inbreds utilized were grouped into heterotic pools to serve as a source population for the development of lpa hybrids in future programs.

Highlights

Maize is a C4 cereal that serves as a major staple food and feeds for poultry as well as swine due to its easier availability, palatability, and nutritional emolument (Shah Rouf et al, 2016)
The main focus of this study was to overcome the major nutritional stern in maize, and it was successful with the efficient donors for lpa and tryptophan (Pramitha et al, 2020b)
The study focuses on simultaneous improvisation with reduced phytic acid (PA) and increased tryptophan content in maize grain

Summary

Introduction

Maize is a C4 cereal that serves as a major staple food and feeds for poultry as well as swine due to its easier availability, palatability, and nutritional emolument (Shah Rouf et al, 2016) It is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and trace elements such as selenium and magnesium (Farnham et al, 2003). Developing low PA (lpa) lines would offer a possible solution to mineral absorption in maize-based foods Speaking of nutrition, another subsequent lacuna in maize zein is the absence of tryptophan, and it is an essential amino acid with numerous regulatory functions (Vasal, 2000). Combining lpa and higher tryptophan in breeding programs will overcome the prime nutritional lacuna faced in maize-based foods These improved hybrids would eventually increase the body mass ratio and nutrient uptake in chicks with a simultaneous cutdown of additional chemical supplements in diets (Lelis et al, 2012)

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Results

Conclusion