Screening of the Romanian maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm for crtRB1 and lcyE alleles enhancing the provitamin A concentration in endosperm

Maize occupies a significant place in the world agriculture. Yellow kernel maize contains mainly non-provitamin A carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. The accumulation of provitamin carotenoids is regulated by favourable alleles lcyE crtRB1 genes could be used for enhancement these grain through breeding. In this study, molecular screening Romanian germplasm was performed, looking genes, level determined few selected lines. number 2746 inbred lines from seven research stations were subjected to PCR amplification order identify alleles. It 27 carrying nine with unfavourable (four groups total), which total carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene retinol equivalents HPLC. Out analysed, 23.53% contained one or both allele gene most widespread (584 lines), followed (55 while detected only 7 Inbred showed highest levels those high β-cryptoxanthin; had 60% higher than two