C O M P L E T E D    P R O J E C T S

Development of High Oil, High Oleic, High vitamin E, Value Added Maize Hybrids
Submitted by Torbert Rocheford, University of Illinois
This project is designed to increase profitability of specific segments of the agricultural economy involving corn. This will be achieved by developing high yielding corn hybrids producing grain with high oil concentration. More energy dense grain will provide enhanced efficiencies in animal feeding and higher levels of monounsaturated fats in the oil (oleic acid) will result in meat with lower levels of polyunsaturated fats and higher carcass quality. Higher levels of vitamin E will provide health benefits to animals and prolong meat storage. Further, vitamin E is an antioxidant and retards oxidation of lipids, which delays rancidity.

Scientific Objectives

The research is this project will

  • More precisely characterize quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling levels of oil, oleic acid and tocopherols in maize grain using genetic progenies derived from Illinois High Oil (IHO) strains.
  • Perform RNA transcript profiling on near-isogenic lines to identify genes with transcription patterns associated with levels of oil, oleic acid and tocopherols in historically important B73 inbred genetic background.
  • Isolate and characterize embryo or seed specific promoters from maize fatty acid desaturase2 and gamma-tocopherol methyl transferase genes, for use in transgenics.
  • Develop transgenic plants with maize fatty acid desaturase2 and gamma-tocopherol methyl transferase genes to produce high levels of oleic acid and alpha-tocopherol in the oil.
  • Make initial crosses for molecular marker assisted selection to introgress QTL for high levels of oil, oleic acid and tocopherols in lines useful to the seed industry.
Expected Outcomes

This project addresses the Enhanced Profitability goal of IMBA as it will help develop specialized maize hybrids with grain of enhanced nutritional composition. The germplasm developed will contribute to development of value-added corn varieties with higher efficiencies for specific end uses that will economically reward growers, as well as processors and feeders. The hybrids produced should be adapted to identity-preserved marketing chains designed to be "win-win" for growers, processors, feeders and consumers.