Variability analysis of normal and opaque2 maize inbred lines

Abstract

Nutritional value of maize is poor due to deficiency of two essential amino acids - tryptophan and lysine. It was shown than opaque2 (o2) mutations can nearly double the lysine and tryptophan content of the endosperm compared with the normal type. Maize Research Institute Gene bank maintains a collection of opaque2 inbred lines developed in the seventies, primarily based on kernel hardness and analytical methods. In order to describe these lines in more detail they were analyzed for tryptophan content and subjected to SSR analysis with opaque2 markers, a marker for endosperm hardness modifier gene and the most significant amino acid modifier markers. Also, a pathogenicity test for inbred lines tolerance to Fusarium spp., which is one of the most important maize pathogens in our region and a causer of maize stalk, root and ear rot, was performed. Differences in tryptophan content between normal and opaque2 lines were significant. All primers used for distinguishing alleles between normal and opaqu2 inbred lines gave positive results. Each genotype gave a specific allelic pattern with amino acid modifier gene primers, without any obvious correspondence to the tryptophan content. Phythopathogenicity test showed on average higher susceptibility to Fusarium graminearum of opaque2 genotypes. These results gave an insight into the applicability of the methods in describing opaque2 lines to be converted into quality protein maize QPM - genotype in which opaque2 has been incorporated along with associated modifiers.