Hi-A corn metabolomics and genomics: A high anthocyanin and drought tolerant specialty crop adapted to Texas climate

Authors: MISHRA, ANKITA - Texas A&M University Institute For Advancing Health Through Agriculture; Dzakovich, Michael; ISLAM, A - Texas A&M University Institute For Advancing Health Through Agriculture; MOLSBEE, MORGAN - Texas A&M Agrilife; XU, WENWEI - Texas A&M Agrilife; Paape, Timothy - Tim

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2024
Publication Date: 6/22/2024
Citation: Mishra, A., Dzakovich, M.P., Islam, A.S., Molsbee, M., Xu, W., Paape, T.D. 2024. Hi-A corn metabolomics and genomics: A high anthocyanin and drought tolerant specialty crop adapted to Texas climate [abstract]. American Society for Plant Biology Annual Conference. June 22-26, 2024; Honolulu, HI. Poster presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Decades of breeding starchy grain crops for calories has come at the expense of nutrient rich crops during the Green Revolution. By using a combination of molecular and breeding techniques, we can introduce important nutrients and antioxidants into grains by introgression of ancestral traits into genetic elite backgrounds of crops through conventional breeding. Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for red, blue, and purple corn, are potent antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. By scavenging free radicals, anthocyanins can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to various chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Research also suggests that the anthocyanins and other phytochemicals in purple corn may have cardio-protective effects. Here we report metabolite and gene expression data in Hi-A corn, which possesses 100 times the level of anthocyanins as white and yellow corn. We are quantifying glycosylated and acetylated cyanidins and peonidins, carotenoids, protein, and oil content in Hi-A corn during multiple stages of kernel development. We are also quantifying the expression of important genes in the maize anthocyanin pathway including Pr1 (F3’H), BZ1, BZ2, AAT, PAL, CHS (chalcone synthase) and Pac1. We found that several of these genes show their peak expression during middle stages of kernel development (ca. 17-20 days), while the anthocyanin compounds show a steady increase from early to late stage development. The combination of these very high levels of antioxidants in a high-yielding corn variety that is resilient to the high summer temperatures of the Texas, is a flagship example of efforts to produce nutrient rich commercial varieties of corn and other grain crops. This is a long-term goal of the Responsive Agriculture unit in the Texas A&M's Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture.