Relationships Between Kernel Physical Properties and Zein Content in Corn Hybrids
Abstract
Previous research documented that physical properties of corn kernel are related to total zein content, but limited information exists for specific hybrid responses. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the relationships between kernel physical properties and zein content in various corn hybrids. Eight commercial corn hybrids (Bc 244, Bc 354, Bc 394, Bc 462, Bc 572, Bc 572, Bc 678 and Pajda) were grown under intensive production management in the growing season of 2009. Kernel physical properties determined were the 1000-kernel weight, bulk density, kernel density, Stenvert hardness parameters (grinding time, total column volume, ratio of coarse to fine particles) and flotation index. For tested hybrids, physical properties ranged 342.6- 446.2 g for 1000-kernel weight, 0.861 - 0.909 kg/L for bulk density, 1.051 - 1.243 g/mL for kernel density, 0 - 30.40 % for flotation index and 1.20 - 2.03 for coarse-to-fine particles ratio. Total zein content ranged from 51.62 to 65.15 g/kg in the whole kernel and from 59.64 to 73.81 % in the crude protein. Hybrid with the lowest zein content in the whole kernel had the highest zein content in crude protein. The total zein content in the crude protein positively correlated with bulk density (r=0.39*) and 1000-kernel weight (0.29*). Positive correlation (r= 0.47**) was found for total zein content and Stenvert coarse-to-fine ratio. However, two hybrids (Bc 678 and Bc 462) that significantly varied for zein content achieved similar kernel hardness properties indicating that factors other than zein content influenced kernel hardness.Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
a) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
c) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).