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Post by spero on Jan 20, 2010 12:21:28 GMT -5
I would like to identify a copper-brown coloration in maize kernels. The copper coloration comes from a popcorn from central America. I have crossed a yellow se over it and have many cobs (the whole cob) has this coloration. I could select for a sweet corn a popcorn or a dent corn from this cross.
My question is: what makes the copper brown color ? Is it anti-oxidant, phyto-nutrient or otherwise beneficial to bring out and select for ? - Jonathan Spero
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Post by canadamike on Jan 20, 2010 12:33:20 GMT -5
I have a corn that originally came from Austria through France, called STYRIE, that is like that. I suspect it is a mix of anti-oxydants, since most color pigments are, but a word from Doc Kapuler here would be quite interesting...
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Post by Alan on Jan 20, 2010 14:02:49 GMT -5
This could be one of three known genes, either Chromozome one Ch-Chocolate
Or Chromozome 9 Bz1 or Bz2
Either of the two Bz1 or Bz2 genes would be responsible for the development of cyanidin glucosides and/or pelargonidin glucosides, glucosyl flavones, phlobaphenes, 3-deoxy anthocyanins, IE, any mix of anthocyanins but I don't know particularly which ones and it would also depend on the four regulatory genes, Pl, R, B, and C1 which are responsible for anthocyanin sythesis. Either way, Anthocyanin should be present.
Hope that makes sense.
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Post by spero on Jan 22, 2010 11:14:06 GMT -5
Thanks Alan - I understand parts of your reply. Since the copper-brown is not as "pretty" as a bright yellow corn, it only makes sense to develop a brown corn variety if it has some outstanding nutritional characteristics. That some amount of Anthocyanin is likely present is probably not sufficient. Do you think paying for an analysis is worthwhile, and if so, can you recommend a lab and/or help interpret the results?
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Post by pugs on Jan 22, 2010 12:16:10 GMT -5
My catalog from Sand Hill arrived a few days ago. There is a popcorn, Thanksgiving Bouquet which is a brown corn. He says do to the genetics of brown, that it won't all be brown.
It is not available this year.
Pugs
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Post by canadamike on Jan 22, 2010 22:32:18 GMT -5
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Post by Alan on Jan 22, 2010 23:08:52 GMT -5
I had to look up the names of the specific anthocyanins yes, but other than that, it was all me  . You can thank the maize genetics stock center and the corn genome project, and a couple rainy days in the past few weeks for my memorization of corn genes and the genomes on which they travel! I have become like a library and have memorized a good portion of all of those genes and chromosomes and their locations and mutations out of necessity, mostly because I get tired of running between the house and the computer to look them up! Do a search for genetics of corn and you'll find a number of lists of genes and chromosomes, fromt here you'll have to individually look up the genes and find out what they do and what mutations they carry. I'm good to go now I think, I managed to memorize that and most of the important watermelon genes in one day, though my spelling and grammer will likely always suck, I am getting quite good with genetics and science. I've got turkey genes memorized now too....lol. |
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Post by canadamike on Jan 23, 2010 0:44:23 GMT -5
I am still a french guy my brother and would appeciate more precise directions. I guess it is hard for folks down there to comprehend my limits  Let me put it in this way: me can write somehow but lack cultural accuracy in english sometimes...  ...it is not always easy for me to write or read in your mother tongue...often depends on how tired I am I must admit... |
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Post by Alan on Jan 24, 2010 22:42:43 GMT -5
Here you go buddy. I warn you, I speak english and it's a pain for me to figure it all out. This is going to be more information on corn genetics than any normal person would ever want to suss out: www.maizesequence.org/index.html |
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. You can thank the maize genetics stock center and the corn genome project, and a couple rainy days in the past few weeks for my memorization of corn genes and the genomes on which they travel! I have become like a library and have memorized a good portion of all of those genes and chromosomes and their locations and mutations out of necessity, mostly because I get tired of running between the house and the computer to look them up!
...it is not always easy for me to write or read in your mother tongue...often depends on how tired I am I must admit...