Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of High ProVitaminA and Total Carotenoid Orange Corn

Dr. Torbert Rocheford

Thursday, December 1, 2016

12:00 – 1:15 PM, Deans Auditorium (PFEN 241)

Genetic and genomic studies on carotenoids in maize and relevance to breeding for higher levels of proVitaminA and total carotenoids for sub-Saharan Africa through the HarvestPlus program will be presented. Studies on the genetic basis of and selection for the color orange in maize grain will be discussed. There are VitaminA deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the developing world that result in approximately 250,000 – 500,000 children going blind or dying each year. High proVitaminA orange corn is designed to help address this challenge. In the majority of sub-Saharan African countries, there is a preference for white corn and avoidance of yellow corn for cultural and historical reasons. White corn has essentially no proVitaminA carotenoids. Orange corn is being successfully used in Zambia to get some consumer adoption, with women’s groups taking a lead and a very effective role in the process.

The seminar is open to the public. This is part of a weekly seminar on Food Security, where invited speakers from Purdue and outside the university help elevate the dialogue on the availability, access, and use of food in our world. Please do come and engage in dialogue with students and our expert speakers.