Report of UNDP-CIMMYT Global research project (Phase 3): March 1979

Abstract

Within the past fourteen years, the task of breeding for nutritionally superior maize types has been greatly facilitated by the discovery of the biochemical effects of the opaque-2 and floury-2 genes. Through manipulation of these two genes, it has been possible to produce biochemical alterations in various protein fractions. These alterations can boost the concentration of lysine and tryptophan in maize endosperm protein to levels almost double those found in normal maize. The enhancement of these two a1nino acids make the maize protein better balanced and nutritionally superior. Since these discoveries maize breeders in maize growing countries of the world have introduced these genes into their most promising maize stocks. However, there seems to have been a decline in interest and resources devoted to the breeding and development of this type of maize, with considerably reduced research emphasis in this area of maize breeding. This unfortunate reduction has resulted partly from the difficulties encountered in breeding and developing quality protein maize populations or hybrids that can compete equally with the normal maize types. Problems differ both in degree and magnitude in different areas around the world.