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Polymorphic SSR markers
from publically available sources have been identified and
evaluated for routine use in the breeding of Quality
Protein Maize. Usefully markers found include
phi057
(Co-dominant) and phi112 (Dominant).
These markers are now being employed in an accelerated
conversion of well adapted maize lines to QPM.
phi057 is especially usefully because there is now no need
to identify heterozygote individuals in the backcross
generations by traditionally methods that involved
selfying of progeny from each backcross generation
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Similarly, two flanking markers, namely, umc 1917 and umc
2228 have been found consistently polymorphic and usefully
for introgression of the major QTL for MSV resistance
known as msv1. The effectiveness of these markers
is now being tested in BC1F1 and F2 segregating
populations developed from crosses between CML 321 x CML
202 and CML 384 x CML 202. Phenotypic evaluations for MSV
resistance in those segregating populations are also being
done with the aim of comparing the efficiency of a MAS
approach to conventional breeding.
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Laboratory capability
to do chemical analysis for maize trytophan content has
been created. This will now allow for careful monitoring
and maintenance of quality of QPM maize during development
and production of varieties.
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Potential inbred donor
lines for use in the improvement of the protein quality of
adaptable maize lines in Uganda have been evaluated.
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Three graduate student
have been trained in the use polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
based SSR molecular marker techniques.
Collaborators
Justus
Imanywoha
Namulonge
Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 7084, Kampala,
Uganda
E-mail:
naari@afsat.com Mobile Phone: 256-077-430072
Kevin Pixley
Maize Program, CIMMYT, P.O. Box MP 163 Mount Pleasant,
Harare ZIMBABWE. E-mail:
CIMMYT-ZIMBABWE@CGNET.COM. Phone: 263 (4) 301 807
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