Identification of high 0-Carotene lines of maize in backcross population by ge no typing crtRB1 Allele specific marker

In order to address the global problem of vitamin A deficiency, biofortification is considered to be a cost effective and sustainable approach. The polymorphism in crtRB1 gene is associated with P-carotene levels in maize kernels. The randomly selected 10 seeds of selected maize lines in BC2F1 population cobs when analyzed for P-carotene content through HPLC, showed confirmation of improvement in P-carotene content of 2.37 μg/g. ThecrtRB1 3'TE polymorphism in BC2F1 population of the cross revealed that the progenies showed segregation distortion(SD). The present study indicated the possiblity to develop a high P-carotene inbred with genetic identity closer to that of the recurrent parent.