Hybrid Development and Seed Production of Biofortified Maize: Aspects and Prospects
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Authors
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FIROZ HOSSAIN
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
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HARI S GUPTA
Assam Agriculture Commission, Krishi Bhavan Complex, Guwahati, Assam-781022, India
Author
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SUDIPTA BASU
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
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VIGNESH MUTHUSAMY
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
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RAJKUMAR U ZUNJARE
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
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ASHWANI KUMAR
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
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GYANENDRA SINGH
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
Author
Keywords:
Nutrition, corn, protein quality, vitamins, minerals, seed, biofortificationAbstract
Malnutrition affects a large section of the population worldwide. It not only affects growth and development in humans but also causes socio-economic imbalance. Among various approaches, cropbiofortification has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective tool to alleviate malnutrition. Intensive research efforts in India and abroad have led to the development and release of a series of biofortified maize hybrids for commercial cultivation. The quantity of essential amino acids, viz. lysine and tryptophan, provitamin-A, and vitamin E has been enhanced, while phytate has been reduced to improve the bioavailability of iron and zinc. This has led to the development and release of several multinutrient-rich maize hybrids. Availability of markers for opaque2, crtRB1, lcyE, vte4, lpa1, and lpa2 has helped in integrating molecular breeding into the biofortification programme. Besides, new traits such as anthocyanins, methionine, and oil have also been enhanced in an elite genetic background. We discuss here the status of the biofortification programme of maize in India, coupled with the seed production system prevalent in maize with special reference to biofortified inbreds and hybrids. Specific requirements of breeder-, foundation-, and certified- seed in India to ensure the supply of quality seeds have also been presented. The potential of novel genetic systems for the rapid development and popularization of biofortified hybrids has also been discussed.
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References
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