Genetic variability for carotenoid content of grains in a composite maize population

Abstract

Local maize (Zea mays L.) varieties are cultivated by small-scale farmers in western Santa Catarina (SC) State, in southern Brazil. These small areas frequently present many problems related to biotic and non-biotic stresses, which have limited the economic output and income of the farmers. Production from local varieties for human consumption would be an alternative way of improving income and stimulating on farm conservation. The genetic variability of the total carotenoid content (TCC) of kernels in a local maize population was evaluated for their economic exploitation potential as biofortified food. Two independent samples of 96 half-sib families (HSF) plus four checks were evaluated in two groups of experiments in western SC and each one was carried out in two environments. They were set out in a 10 × 10 partially balanced lattice with three replications per location; plots consisted of one row, 5.0 m long with 1.0 m between rows. TCC ranged from 11 to 23 µg g -1 , averaging ≈16 µg g -1 in the pooled analysis over the two sets. The local composite population exhibited genetic variability in order to increase the TCC of grains in the second cycle of selection by the convergent-divergent scheme.

Análise Da Composição Química Em Grãos De Populações Locais De Milho Utilizados Na Merenda Escolar

“…Estudos realizados com populações locais de milho de produtores familiares do Oeste Catarinense revelaram que algumas dessas variedades possuem elevado teor de carotenoides, tornando viável a sua exploração econômica como alimento funcional ou bioativo (KUHNEN et al, 2011;KIST et al, 2014). Estudos têm revelado que há relação inversa entre o consumo de dietas ricas em carotenoides e a incidência de alguns tipos de câncer, indução da degeneração da pele por raios ultravioleta, doenças cardiovasculares, cataratas e degeneração macular (FRASER e BRAMLEY, 2004;STAHL e SIES, 2005).…”