engleski

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

More than one-third of world’ s population is afflicted by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies since cereal grain as staple food of this people contains low levels or low bioavailability of Fe and Zn because of phytate. In maize, 80% of phosphorus (P) grain 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 low-phytic acid maize genotypes with a more appropriate phytate/Fe and phytate/Zn relations. Bioavailability of iron and zinc varied substantially in a maize population justifying utilisation these unique parameters in biofortification programmes.

Bioavailability; Biofortification; Maize; Minerals

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