Not AvailableVitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a global health problem. Maize
naturally accumulates carotenoids including β-carotene, a
major source of vitamin A. Thirty-seven Indian maize
genotypes were screened for total carotenoids and β-
carotene content. A positive significant association of
kernel colour was observed with total carotenoid but not
for β-carotene. The level of β-carotene among the selected
37 genotypes was low (0.14 to 4.63µg/g) as compared to
total carotenoids (15.94 to 66.46 µg/g) thus necessitates
the introduction and deployment of lines with high β-
carotene. Hence, 54 inbred lines developed under the
HarvestPlus programme were screened with functional
markers of lcyE and crtRB1 genes of the carotenoid
biosynthetic pathway. Three genotypes (HP704-13, HP704-
22, and HP704-23) amplified most of the favorable alleles
for both these genes. However, due to long Anthesis Silking
Interval (ASI) and poor adaptation HP704-13 and HP704-23
could not be maintained. Under normal storage condition
genotype, HP704-22 recorded 7.32 µg/g of β-carotene which
can be used as a donor for provitamin-A or to diversify the
Indian germplasm.Not Availabl
