Relationship Between Morphological and Structural Characteristics of Corn Kernel and Its Breakage Resistance

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2024-0575

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aimed to reveal the influence of the morphology and internal structure of corn kernel on its breakage resistance, providing a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of corn cultivars suitable for mechanical grain harvesting. ‘DH618’, ‘DK159’ and ‘HM1’ were selected as tested cultivars, the morphological and structural parameters of kernel were obtained by CT scanning while kernel breaking force was measured by static compression test. The kernel of ‘DH618’was the largest in length (6.85-14.03 mm), thickness (4.22-7.64 mm) and volume (74.16-313.79 mm³), the proportion of its embryos in kernel was also the highest (10.49%-11.26%). The kernel of HM1 had the largest grain width (5.71-8.75 mm) and the highest subcutaneous cavity ratio (1.26%-2.05%). The relationship between the morphology, structure of corn kernel and its mechanical properties was identified, which would provide an essential reference for the study of corn kernel’s characters and conduce to the selection and breeding of corn cultivars favoring mechanical grain harvesting.

Key words: corn, kernel breakage resistance, kernel morphology, kernel internal structure, CT scanning, static compression, mechanical grain harvesting, selection and breeding

HOU Liangyu, LI Wenjun, WANG Rurong, LAN Xuemei, CHENG Hongyu. Relationship Between Morphological and Structural Characteristics of Corn Kernel and Its Breakage Resistance[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2025, 41(17): 6-12.

Figures/Tables 12

References 26

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品种	审定编号	籽粒类型	穗行数	行粒数	粗淀粉含量/%	粗蛋白质含量/%	粗脂肪含量/%	赖氨酸含量/%	收获时籽粒含水率/%
DH618	国审玉 20176113	马齿形	16	37	75.83	8.48	3.84	0.35	12.39
DK159	吉审玉 2015020	半马齿形	18	37	74.87	8.60	4.90	0.30	11.21
HM1	吉审玉 2016063	马齿形	16	40	73.97	10.55	339	0.32	11.93

品种	审定编号	籽粒类型	穗行数	行粒数	粗淀粉含量/%	粗蛋白质含量/%	粗脂肪含量/%	赖氨酸含量/%	收获时籽粒含水率/%
DH618	国审玉 20176113	马齿形	16	37	75.83	8.48	3.84	0.35	12.39
DK159	吉审玉 2015020	半马齿形	18	37	74.87	8.60	4.90	0.30	11.21
HM1	吉审玉 2016063	马齿形	16	40	73.97	10.55	339	0.32	11.93

参试品种	形态指标	长度/mm	宽度/mm	厚度/mm	体积/mm³
DH618	长度	1	0.884^**	-0.424^**	0.762^**
	宽度		1	-0.182^*	0.839^**
	厚度			1	0.038
	体积				1
DK159	长度	1	0.569^**	-0.651^**	0.682^**
	宽度		1	-0.389^**	0.935^**
	厚度			1	-0.127
	体积				1
HM1	长度	1	0.894^**	-0.445^**	0.750^**
	宽度		1	-0.233^*	0.858^**
	厚度			1	0.171
	体积				1

参试品种	形态指标	长度/mm	宽度/mm	厚度/mm	体积/mm³
DH618	长度	1	0.884^**	-0.424^**	0.762^**
	宽度		1	-0.182^*	0.839^**
	厚度			1	0.038
	体积				1
DK159	长度	1	0.569^**	-0.651^**	0.682^**
	宽度		1	-0.389^**	0.935^**
	厚度			1	-0.127
	体积				1
HM1	长度	1	0.894^**	-0.445^**	0.750^**
	宽度		1	-0.233^*	0.858^**
	厚度			1	0.171
	体积				1

指标	胚面破裂力	侧面破裂力	顶部破裂力
籽粒长度	0.786^**	-0.352^*	0.063
籽粒宽度	0.634^**	0.019	0.311
籽粒厚度	-0.536^**	0.610^**	0.307^*
籽粒体积	0.394^*	0.180	0.453^**
胚体积	0.449	0.326	0.164
胚乳体积	0.432^*	0.160	0.450^**
皮下空腔体积	-0.192	0.361^*	0.043