Researchers probe maize protein level

The Chinese Academy of Sciences headquarters published a research paper in Nature on Thursday, which successfully identified genetic mechanisms of enhancing seed protein content in maize after 10 years of research.

Teosinte, the wild ancestor of maize, has three times the seed protein content of most modern maize strains. Researchers at the CAS tracked down the mechanisms responsible for the declining seed protein content in maize hybrids and inbred lines.

Their findings open up new avenues for maximizing seed protein content and quality for future maize breeding, with implications in efficient nitrogen use and food security.