Exploring ZmZIP10 (ZmIRT1) variation linked to kernel iron and mineral co-accumulation in indigenous Sudanese maize

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are a major problem in regions of the world where maize ( Zea mays L.) is an important staple food. Exploiting the natural variability of cereal minerals and genes that promote mineral homeostasis can accelerate the biofortification of cereal crops. The tested 25 maize accessions showed a wide variation and wide range in the grain mineral content of Fe (24.47 to 49.99), Zn (37.54 to 255.86), Mn (5.85 to 16.08), Cu (3.32 to 28.50), P (1969.88 to 4224.61), K (2483.52 to 7342.57), Ca (183.86 to 469.70), mg/kg. Iron and Zinc exhibit positive associations ( r > 0.40) with Ca, Co, and Ba. The Nei’s dendrogram identifies three main clades at a height of 0.40–0.45.The Nei’s dendrogram identifies three main clades at a height of 0.40–0.45.SRAP genotyping successfully grouped 25 maize accessions into three major clusters and two minor ones. Selected accessions representing the extremes of SRAP space were used for locus sequencing, resulting in eight representatives from different groups. These groupings matched the mineral phenotype data and facilitated cross-group donor-recipient pairing to beneficial pyramid Fe and Zn alleles. Sequencing of ZmZIP10 in nine accessions revealed 1,282 polymorphic sites within 17 sets of 100-bp windows. The average identity ranged from 0.963 to 0.985 in W6-W8 and 0.845 to 0.835 in W9-W17. SNP counts were 82 in W1, 100 in W2, and 11 in W7. Transitions per codon position ranged from 6 to 11, while transversions ranged from 518 to 533, producing a Ti/Tv ratio between 0.012 and 0.021, indicating a transversion-biased pattern. The window-specific Ti/Tv ratio was 0.400 in W7 and zero elsewhere. This study proposes a practical approach that combines mineral phenotypes with a predictive framework to utilize ZmZIP10 variation for Fe/Zn biofortification in Sudanese maize. Incorporating high-Fe donors and controllable ZmZIP10 haplotypes facilitate efficient breeding and marker-assisted selection, leading to more nutritionally enriched, competitive maize. While selecting for increased Fe and Zn may influence other elements, it provides an opportunity for multi-nutrient biofortification but requires monitoring of Na and Ba.