Grain Nutrient Composition of Maize (Zea mays L.) Drought-Tolerant Populations

Abstract

A total of 13 maize populations from the drought-tolerant mini core collection from Maize Research Institute gene bank were evaluated for oil, protein, and tryptophan contents, fatty acid (FA) composition, and kernel characteristics. All accessions are high oil (5.8-7.9%) and protein (10.58-12.45%) genotypes. Most of the accessions showed high contents of tryptophan (0.070-0.081%) and saturated (12.65-17.91%) and monounsaturated (24.19-45.52%) FAs. Significant positive correlations were found between oil and protein and between oil and tryptophan contents (p < 0.01). Correlations between oil and principal FA were non-significant. Several accessions showed multiple nutritional advantages. For example, IP6428 had high oil (7.3%), tryptophan (0.081%), and saturated FA (17.9%) contents. Moreover, a positive correlation (p < 0.01) between palmitic (13.68%) and oleic (34.74%) acids enables the use of IP6428 for developing lines high in these FAs. Because drought-tolerant accessions were selected in both subtropical and temperate zones, they could be used for breeding value-added maize adapted to both environments.

Development of High Tryptophan Maize Near Isogenic Lines Adapted to Temperate Regions through Marker Assisted Selection - Impediments and Benefits

“…In the latter paper, a significant increase for tryptophan and lysine contents under drought was also recorded. Similar results were obtained in Ignjatovic-Micic et al [52]. Nevertheless, the six NILs displayed high tryptophan content and quality index regardless of the year, with average increments compared to ZPL 5 of 30% and 36%, respectively.…”

Biochemical evaluation of dent corn (Zea mays L.) genotypes cultivated under rainfed conditions in the hills of north western Indian Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir

“…Considering the correlations among various fatty acids, it appears that all the fatty acids seldom contribute to that total oil production and some of them serve as precursors for compounds other than oil. Our results are thus in contrast with those of Ignjatovic-Micic et al (2015) who have found significant positive correlations between maize protein and oil contents and non-significant correlation between oil content and principal fatty acids. Moreover, their study has revealed a positive correlation between palmitic and oleic acids.…”

Biochemical and physical kernel properties of a standard maize hybrid in different TopCross™ Blends

“…Higher lysine levels in TC Blends than in the check hybrids were found in Cromwell (2000) and Thomison et al (2003). Significant positive correlation between tryptophan and oil content was also found in Ignjatovic-Micic et al (2015). Lambert et al (1998) attributed increased lysine content in TC Blends to the larger embryo associated with high oil maize, as most essential amino acids are located in the kernel embryo.…”

“…Dried kernels were ground in a Cyclotec 1093 lab mill with a particle size < 500 μm and oil was extracted with hexane in a Soxhlet extractor. Fatty acid (FA) composition of the oil samples was determined as per Ignjatovic-Micic et al (2015).…”