Genetic variation of bioavailable iron and zinc in grain of a maize population

Simic, D. and Sudar, R. and Ledencan, T. and Jambrovic, A. and Zdunic´, Z. and Brkic, I. and Kovacevic´, V. (2009) Genetic variation of bioavailable iron and zinc in grain of a maize population. Journal of Cereal Science , 50. pp. 392-397.

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Abstract

More than one-third of the world’s population is afflicted by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies, since cereal grain as a staple food of the people contains low levels or low bioavailability of Fe and Zn because of phytate. In maize, 80% of grain phosphorus (P) is in the form of phytate, and P could be an indicator of phytate content. The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate genetic variation of Fe and Zn in a maize population including P/Fe and P/Zn molar ratios as quantitative traits; (2) to determine relations among yield, P, Fe, Zn, P/Fe and P/Zn molar ratios; and (3) to define the implications of those on biofortification (breeding) programmes. There were significant genetic variations and workable heritabilities for Fe, Zn, P/Fe and P/Zn estimated in 294 F4 lines of a maize population, but there were no associations among six traits according to both simple correlations and principal component analysis. Weak correlations between P and Fe and between P and Zn indicated feasibility of breeding non lowphytic acid maize genotypes with more appropriate phytate/Fe and phytate/Zn relations. Bioavailability of iron and zinc varied substantially in a maize population justifying utilisation of these unique parameters in biofortification programmes.

Item Type:	Article
Author Affiliation:	Agricultural Institute Osijek, Department of Maize Breeding and Genetics, Juzno predgradje 17, HR-31103, Osijek, Croatia
Subjects:	Crop Improvement > Genetics/Genomics Plant Physiology and Biochemistry > Biochemistry
Divisions:	Maize
Depositing User:	Sushil
Date Deposited:	17 Oct 2010 15:26
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2010 15:26
Official URL:	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jcs
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/94

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