Extra-early stress-tolerant provitamin A maize inbreds and hybrids now available

Malnutrition ranks first among globally preventable health risks. Most Africans subsist on maize diets characterized by low vitamin A levels, which impair immune system function and increase vulnerability to diseases and mortality of African children. In addition, Striga hermonthica, drought, and low soil nitrogen are major maize production constraints in West Africa. There is, therefore, a need to improve maize for nutritional quality and multiple-stress tolerance.

In a soon to be published Crop Science article, scientists from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with national maize program scientists of West Africa, reported on genetic enhancement of extra-early (80–85 days to maturity) maize for elevated provitamin A (PVA) while maintaining tolerance to Striga infestation, drought, and low soil nitrogen.

Concentrations of PVA of 23.98 and 22.56 μg g⁻¹ were obtained for inbreds TZEEIOR 202 and TZEEIOR 205, which were much higher than the breeding target of 15 μg g⁻¹. Several multiple stress-tolerant hybrids with PVA concentrations > 20 μg g⁻¹ were developed while inbreds and single-cross testers were identified for the development of more hybrids in the future.

The scientists were confident that TZEEIOR 202 and TZEEIOR 205 are invaluable resources for breeding for high-PVA in maize populations and hybrids.