HarvestPlus collaborator Torbert Rocheford is part of an investigative team that has identified genetic markers associated with higher levels of Vitamin A precursors, in maize. This paves the way for scientists, including those in developing countries, to easily and quickly identify varieties with naturally higher levels of beta-carotene for breeding programs. It’s expected that this will significantly speed up breeding for new varieties of maize that are rich in Vitamin A. This could be of tremendous benefit in regions such as Africa, where Vitamin A deficiency causes tens of thousands of children to go blind every year.

These findings were reported in Science, on January 18. See HarvestPlus Abstract #7.

Learn more about Vitamin A deficiency.
Co-Investigators

• Torbert Rocheford

University of Illinois
Trochefo@uiuc.edu

• Ed Buckler

USDA, Agricultural Research Service and Cornell University
esb33@cornell.edu