May 13, 2009
Brazil scientists develop vitamin A enriched corn
Researchers at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation are developing corn varieties with increased pro-vitamin A content, and the new varieties could be growing in Brazil by next year.
So far, the researchers have bred corn that contains 9.2 micrograms beta-carotene per gram kernel, four times the beta-carotene content of traditional yellow corn varieties.
The agronomic performance of the vitamin A-enriched corn cultivar will be evaluated this planting season, and will be available to farmers by 2010 if all goes well. The corporation is also doing bio-fortification research on cassava, beans and wheat.
