Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 93-104 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 102 10 Concluding Remarks The breeding of maize varieties with high protein content, particularly Quality Protein Maize (QPM), has shown significant promise in addressing malnutrition and improving the nutritional value of maize. Studies have demonstrated that QPM varieties contain higher levels of essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan compared to conventional maize, which are crucial for human and animal nutrition. Additionally, the genetic variability and heritability of these traits suggest substantial opportunities for further improvement through selective breeding. The adoption of QPM has been shown to positively impact child growth rates, indicating its potential to combat undernutrition in developing regions. However, challenges such as lower overall protein content in some QPM lines and the need for better agronomic traits remain. Future breeding research should focus on overcoming the agronomic limitations associated with QPM varieties, such as lower yields and poorer grain quality observed in some mutant lines. Integrating molecular breeding techniques with conventional methods could accelerate the development of QPM varieties that are both nutritionally superior and agronomically viable. Additionally, exploring the genetic loci associated with protein synthesis and stress tolerance can lead to the development of more resilient QPM varieties. Participatory plant breeding (PPB) and participatory variety selection (PVS) should be employed to enhance the adoption of QPM by involving farmers and other stakeholders in the breeding process. Furthermore, expanding the genetic base by incorporating diverse germplasm can help in developing hybrids with improved nutritional and agronomic traits. The long-term impact of breeding high-protein maize varieties, particularly QPM, on global nutrition and agriculture could be profound. By improving the nutritional quality of maize, a staple food for a significant portion of the world's population, QPM can play a crucial role in reducing malnutrition and improving public health outcomes. Enhanced nutritional profiles of maize can also open new market opportunities for farmers, contributing to economic development in rural areas. Moreover, the success of QPM can serve as a model for biofortification efforts in other staple crops, further advancing global food security and nutrition. The integration of QPM into agro-food systems can thus lead to sustainable improvements in both human health and agricultural productivity. Acknowledgments We are grateful to Mrs. Jie Zhang for critically reading the manuscript and providing valuable feedback that improved the clarity of the text. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Abu P., Badu-Apraku B., Ifie B., Tongoona P., Melomey L., and Offei S., 2021, Genetic diversity and inter-trait relationship of tropical extra-early maturing quality protein maize inbred lines under low soil nitrogen stress, PLoS One, 16(6): e0252506. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252506 Alves M., Belo M., Carbas B., Brites C., Paulo M., Mendes-Moreira P., Brites C., Bronze M., Šatović Z., and Patto M., 2017, Long‐term on‐farm participatory maize breeding by stratified mass selection retains molecular diversity while improving agronomic performance, Evolutionary Applications, 11: 254-270. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12549 Amegbor I., Biljon A., Shargie N., Tarekegne A., and Labuschagne M., 2022a, Identifying quality protein maize inbred lines for improved nutritional value of maize in Southern Africa, Foods, 11(7): 898. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11070898 Amegbor I., Biljon A., Shargie N., Tarekegne A., and Labuschagne M., 2022b, Heritability and associations among grain yield and quality traits in quality protein maize (QPM) and non-QPM hybrids, Plants, 11(6): 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060713 Bello B., Olawuyi J., Ige A., Mahamood J., Afolabi S., Azeez A., and Abdulmaliq Y., 2014, Agro-nutritional variations of quality protein maize (Zeamays L.) in Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade, 59: 101-116. https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS1402101B Bhadmus O., Badu-Apraku B., Adeyemo O., and Ogunkanmi A., 2021, Genetic analysis of early white quality protein maize inbreds and derived hybrids under low-nitrogen and combined drought and heat stress environments, Plants, 10(12): 2596. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122596
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==