Analysis of grain quality in corn

Abstract

Six populations of corn (Zea mays L.), including two of dent grain opaque-2 (one braquitic), two self-fertilized flint grain and two half-sib flint grain types were used. Laboratory analyses were made of genetic variance and phenotypic correlations of the weight of 15 grains, percentage of embryo, oil, protein and tryptophan. The opaque-2 dent grain populations were higher in oil content, tryptophan and protein value, and the self-fertilized flint grain populations were higher in protein percentage while the half-sib flint grain populations showed higher grain weight values. Tryptophan content showed the greatest increase potential through genetic improvement while protein percentage showed the lowest. Positive phenotypic correlations of oil content with embryo size and with tryptophan percentage were detected and negative correlation was found between grain weight and protein percentage.