Authors:
Lingyan Dai*,Xinran Cheng ,Yanheng Chen ,Jiangshuai Niu ,Xinyue Cai ,Yutao Liu ,Kuide Yin , Haiwang Yue ,Shuquan Zhang and Wenhua Li , China |
Abstract:
The moisture content in kernels at the time of corn harvest is a key factor affecting the quality,
safe storage and economic benefits of mechanized-harvest kernels. To study the unique
agronomic traits possessed in husk, cob, and pericarp in corn varieties with a low kernel moisture
content at harvest, two corn varieties, Zhengdan 958 and Xianyu 335, that have different
dehydration characteristics were used as test materials in this project. The effects of husk, cob
and pericarp on kernel moisture content during the grain-filling process were studied in the
planting area of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China. The results showed that husk
moisture content, cob moisture content, and ears shank length each had an extremely
significantly positive correlation with kernel moisture content (P<0.01); pericarp thickness had a
significantly positive correlation with kernel moisture content (P<0.05); and stomatal perimeter
had a negative correlation with kernel moisture content. During the grain-filling stage, Xianyu
335, which has a low kernel moisture content at harvest, has a low moisture content in husk and
cob, long ears shank, large stomata perimeter in the husk, and thin pericarp at the late grainfilling stage. Ears shank length, husk stomatal morphology and pericarp thickness could also be
used as reference indices in the selection and breeding of corn varieties with fast kernel
dehydration and low moisture content during corn maturation and harvest |
