Effects of Heat Stress at Different Grain‐Filling Phases on the Grain Yield and Quality of Waxy Maize

Effects of heat stress (mean day/night temperatures of 35.2/16.1 and 27.4/15.6°C for heat stress and control, respectively) during different grain‐filling phases (1–10, 11–20, 21–30, 31–40, and 1–40 days after pollination [DAP]) on the grain yield and quality of waxy maize were investigated using two varieties. Heat stress decreased the number and weight of grains, thereby reducing grain yield. The effects of heat stress at an early grain development stage (before 20 DAP) were severe. Compared with the control, starch deposition was not affected by heat stress in Suyunuo5, and it was only decreased by heat stress at 1–10 DAP in Yunuo7. Protein content responses to heat stress were variety and stage dependent. Heat stress increased the iodine‐binding capacities of both varieties. Peak and breakdown viscosities were decreased by heat stress, and the effects gradually decreased with postponement of high temperature. Heat stress increased gelatinization temperature and retrogradation percentage for both varieties, and the response was stage dependent. Heat stress during the whole grain‐filling period increased the pasting and gelatinization temperatures but decreased gelatinization enthalpy. Changes in protein and starch contents as well as the proportion of long chains in amylopectin affected the pasting and thermal properties.     

Effects of Waterlogging Around Flowering Stage on the Grain Yield and Eating Properties of Fresh Waxy Maize

The effects of waterlogging around flowering stage on the grain yield and eating quality of fresh waxy maize were studied using Suyunuo5 and Yunuo7 as materials in 2014 and 2015. Waterlogging around flowering stage decreased the fresh weight, volume, and number of grains, which led to the loss of fresh grain yield. Waterlogging before pollination reduced grain moisture content and increased grain dry weight. Waterlogging increased starch contents and decreased protein contents, especially after pollination; decreased albumin and glutenin contents; and did not affect globulin content. Zein content was decreased and increased, respectively, by waterlogging before and after pollination. The responses of starch granule size and iodine‐binding capacity to waterlogging were dependent on planting year, variety, and waterlogging stage. Pasting and gelatinization temperatures were only slightly affected by waterlogging. Waterlogging increased peak viscosity at both stages in Suyunuo5, but this parameter decreased and increased, respectively, before and after pollination in Yunuo7. Waterlogging did not affect gelatinization enthalpy but increased retrogradation enthalpy and percentage. In conclusion, waterlogging around flowering stage suppressed grain yield and shortened grain filling duration. Eating quality (viscosity and retrogradation) was also altered by waterlogging because grain proximate content and starch granule structure were changed.     

缓释肥施用时期对春播鲜食糯玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响

为探明缓释肥施用时期对鲜食糯玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响,本研究以苏玉糯11号为材料,在等量施肥条件下,以常规施肥方式(N15CK,基施复合肥+六叶期追施尿素)和不施肥为对照,研究缓释肥于播种期(SN15-0)、三叶期(SN15-3)和六叶期(SN15-6)一次性施用对鲜食糯玉米鲜果穗和鲜籽粒产量,籽粒淀粉和蛋白质含量、碘结合力、热力学特性和糊化特性的影响。结果表明,缓释肥处理的鲜果穗产量和鲜籽粒产量显著高于常规肥处理,且SN15-6和SN15-3的鲜果穗产量分别比SN15-0提高14.0%和7.4%,鲜籽粒产量提高14.6%和2.0%。SN15-6的籽粒中淀粉、可溶性糖和蛋白质含量均显著高于其他处理。缓释肥延后施用使淀粉粒径变小,SN15-6与N15CK的淀粉碘结合力和最大吸收波长显著高于其他处理。与不施肥相比,施肥提高了籽粒淀粉的糊化温度和胶凝温度(起始温度、峰值温度和终值温度),降低了回生热焓值和回生值。其中SN15-3的峰值黏度、谷值黏度、崩解值和终值黏度最高,而SN15-6的回复值、回生热焓值和回生值最低。综上,缓释肥适当延后施用有利于提高鲜食糯玉米产量,增加籽粒中蛋白质、淀粉、可溶性糖含量,降低淀粉平均粒径;另外,三叶期施用可显著提高籽粒糊化黏度,六叶期施用使籽粒回生值显著降低。本研究结果可为春播鲜食糯玉米绿色高产优质轻简栽培提供理论依据与技术支撑。     

Effects of Heat Stress During Grain Filling on the Functional Properties of Flour from Fresh Waxy Maize

The effects of temperature during grain filling on the quality of fresh waxy maize grain were investigated using three varieties. Plants of the selected varieties were subjected to two temperature treatments, namely, control (mean daily air temperature, 30°C) and heat stress (35°C), after artificial pollination (1–23 days after pollination). Heat stress decreased starch content and crystallinity and increased the contents of protein and protein fractions (albumin, globulin, zein, and glutenin), but it did not affect soluble sugar content in general. The effects of heat stress on grain textural characteristics were variety dependent, except for springiness, which was similar between treatments. Pasting and thermal properties were also affected by heat stress. The results suggest that heat stress during grain filling changes the composition of flour and crystalline structure of starch, thereby decreasing viscosities and enthalpies of gelatinization as well as increasing the pasting and gelatinization temperature of fresh waxy maize.     

鲜食糯玉米籽粒理化特性的基因型差异

以糯玉米国家区域试验14个品种为材料,研究其鲜食期籽粒理化特性的基因型差异。结果表明,鲜食糯玉米籽粒理化特性存在显著的基因型差异,淀粉和蛋白质含量变幅分别在48.7%~72.2%和7.4%~8.9%之间,但其含量高低对籽粒理化特性无显著影响。籽粒淀粉最大吸收波长变幅在531.6~559.4nm之间,但总体上变异较小,且均表现出典型的糯性特征。碘结合力和微量元素含量均存在显著的基因型差异。差示扫描量热仪(DSC)和快速黏度分析仪(RVA)研究表明,供试品种中淮科糯3号和禾盛糯1512黏度特征值较优,适合作鲜穗食用;禾盛糯1512和沈糯062回生值较低,在速冻玉米上具有独特优势。相关分析表明,碘结合力与回生值显著负相关,与回复值显著正相关。微量元素中,Cu、Fe、Ca、Na元素含量与热力学特征值和糊化特征值无显著相关性,Mn、Zn、S和P元素含量与峰值黏度和崩解值显著负相关,K与崩解值显著正相关,S与糊化温度显著正相关。     

Nitrogen topdressing at the jointing stage affects the nutrient accumulation and translocation in rainfed waxy maize

Timely and fitting nitrogen (N) application decreases costs and pollution risk in maize cultivation. To explore the accumulation and remobilization of dry matter (DM), N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in waxy maize under various N topdressings (0?kg ha^?1, LN; 150?kg ha^?1, MN; 300?kg ha^?1, HN) at the jointing stage, a field trial involving two waxy maize varieties (Suyunuo 5 and Yunuo 7) was conducted in 2013–2016. The highest grain yield was obtained under MN mainly due to the highest grain numbers and grain weight. The increase in grain yield under MN was mainly due to the high DM accumulation post-silking, as well as high N, P, and K accumulation and remobilization pre-silking. Generally, the plants had high harvest index (HI) of DM (N, P, and K), partial N fertilizer productivity, and moderate N utilization efficiency (NUE) under MN.     

拔节期追氮对鲜食糯玉米粉糊化和热力学特性的影响

以苏玉糯1号、苏玉糯5号和渝糯7号为材料,研究了拔节期追氮量（N 0、150和300 kg/hm2）对鲜食糯玉米粉糊化和热力学特性的影响。结果表明,随着拔节期追氮量的增加,峰值黏度和崩解值下降,糊化温度升高,而谷值黏度、终值黏度和回复值呈先降后升趋势; 热力学特征参数中,回生值、终值温度、糊化范围和峰值指数受拔节期追氮量影响较小。原样品热焓值和回生后样品热焓值均表现为随着拔节期追氮量的增加呈先降后升趋势。糊化和热力学特征值对拔节期追氮量的响应不同品种间存在差异。鲜食糯玉米粉的理化特性存在显著的基因型差异,峰值黏度以苏玉糯5号最高,苏玉糯1号最低; 峰值温度苏玉糯1号和苏玉糯5号无显著差异,但均高于渝糯7号; 热焓值、回生值、糊化范围和峰值指数不同品种间相对稳定。相关分析表明,峰值黏度与原样品热焓值和峰值指数呈显著正相关; 崩解值与糊化温度及转变温度,回生值与淀粉的终值黏度和回复值呈显著负相关。在本试验条件下,拔节期追氮总体上使糯玉米食用品质降低,其中以苏玉糯5号在不追氮处理下的糊化和热力学特性较优,即峰值黏度、崩解值和热焓值较高,回生值较低。     

Increasing Slowly Digestible Starch Content of Normal and Waxy Maize Starches and Properties of Starch Products

Changes in the digestibility and the properties of the starch isolated from normal and waxy maize kernels after heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) followed by different temperature cycling (TC) or isothermal holding (IH) conditions were investigated. Moist maize kernels were heated at 80°C for 2 hr. The HMT maize kernels were subjected to various conditions designed to accelerate retrogradation of the starch within endosperm cells. Two methods were used to accelerate crystallization: TC with a low temperature of –24°C for 1 hr and a high temperature of 20, 30, or 50°C for 2, 4, or 24 hr for 1, 2, or 4 cycles, and IH at 4, 20, 30, or 50°C for 24 hr. The starch granules were then isolated from the treated kernels. The starch isolated from HMT normal maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 2 hr for 2 cycles gave the greatest SDS content (24%) and starch yield (54%). The starch isolated from HMT waxy maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 24 hr for 1 cycle had an SDS content of 19% and starch yield of 43%. The results suggest that TC after HMT changes the internal structure of maize starch granules in a way that results in the formation of SDS (and RS). They also suggest that thermal treatment of maize kernels is more effective in producing SDS than is the same treatment of isolated starch. All starch samples isolated from treated normal maize kernels exhibited lower peak viscosities, breakdown, and final viscosities and higher pasting temperatures than did the control (untreated normal maize starch). Although peak viscosities and breakdown of the starch isolated from treated waxy maize kernels were similar to those of the control (untreated waxy maize starch), their pasting temperatures were higher. The starch isolated from treated normal and waxy maize kernels with the highest SDS contents (described above) were further examined by DSC, X‐ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy. Onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization of both samples were higher than those of the controls. Both retained the typical A‐type diffraction pattern of the parent starches. The relative crystallinity of the starch from the treated normal maize kernels was higher than that of the control, while the relative crystallinity of the starch from the treated waxy maize kernels was not significantly different from that of the control. Both treated starches exhibited birefringence, but the granule sizes of both starches, when placed in water, were slightly larger than those of the controls.     

Evaluation of Waxy Grain Sorghum for Ethanol Production

The objective of this research was to investigate the fermentation performance of waxy grain sorghum for ethanol production. Twenty‐five waxy grain sorghum varieties were evaluated with a laboratory dry‐grind procedure. Total starch and amylose contents were measured following colorimetric procedures. Total starch and amylose contents ranged from 65.4 to 76.3% and from 5.5 to 7.3%, respectively. Fermentation efficiencies were in the range of 86.0–92.2%, corresponding to ethanol yields of 2.61–3.03 gallons/bushel. The advantages of using waxy sorghums for ethanol production include easier gelatinization and low viscosity during liquefaction, higher starch and protein digestibility, higher free amino nitrogen (FAN) content, and shorter fermentation times. The results showed a strong linear relationship between FAN content and fermentation rate. Fermentation rate increased as FAN content increased, especially during the first 30 hr of fermentation (R² = 0.90). Total starch content in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was less than 1% for all waxy varieties.     

拔节期追氮对春播和秋播糯玉米淀粉胶凝和回生特性的影响

以垦粘1号、苏玉糯1号和苏玉糯5号为材料,研究了拔节期追氮量(N 01、50和300 kg/hm2)对春播和秋播糯玉米淀粉胶凝和回生特性的影响,试验于扬州大学实验农牧场进行。结果看出,播期、品种和拔节期追氮量单因素及其互作对淀粉胶凝和回生主要特征值存在显著影响。糯玉米淀粉胶凝和回生特征值在拔节期追氮150 kg/hm2时和秋播条件下较优,即原淀粉具有较低的峰值温度、较高的热焓值,回生淀粉具有较低的回生值,且以垦粘1号表现较好。糯玉米淀粉胶凝和回生特征值之间存在一定的相关性。回生值分别与回生淀粉的热焓值、原淀粉的终值温度显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.82(P0.01)和0.47(P0.05);原淀粉的热焓值与峰值指数显著正相关,相关系数为0.53(P0.05),与原淀粉峰值温度、回生淀粉的终值温度显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.53(P0.05)和-0.52(P0.05);回生淀粉的热焓值分别与回生淀粉起始温度、终值指数显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.46(P0.05)和0.66(P0.01)。综合考虑淀粉胶凝和回生特性在不同处理下的变化趋势,以秋播糯玉米淀粉在拔节期追N 150 kg/hm2处理下较优。     

Retrogradation of Starches from Different Botanical Sources

Retrogradation in 2% pastes prepared from unmodified commercial starches by cooking at 98–100°C under low shear, then held at 4°C for 56 days, was examined by turbidometric analysis and light microscopy. Turbidometric analysis revealed that retrogradation rates followed the order of wheat, common corn > rice, tapioca, potato ≫ waxy maize. Microstructures of stored pastes were examined both before and after centrifugation. Granule remnant morphologies and fresh and stored paste microstructures were unique to each starch examined. Fresh pastes from amylose-containing starches were dominated by networked amylose that condensed into higher density aggregates upon storage. Unique phenomena seen in some stored pastes included interactions of granular remnants with aggregated amylose, composite networks of co-associated amylopectin and amylose, and slight birefringence regained by granule remnants. Microstructural changes in stored pastes could be related to changes in turbidity and to the results of other methods used to quantitate retrogradation.     

不同基因型糯玉米氮素吸收利用效率的研究 II.氮素积累动态的基因型差异

为了解糯玉米氮素积累进程的变化规律,阐明不同生育时期氮素积累的基因型差异及其对产量形成的作用,分析了31个糯玉米品种在同一施氮水平下四叶期、拔节期、大口期(12叶期)、开花(吐丝)期、鲜穗采收期和成熟期的植株氮素积累量。结果表明,植株氮素含量随生育进程逐渐下降,植株氮素积累量随生育进程的增加呈不对称的S型曲线变化,可用Richards方程拟合。不同品种各生育时期的氮素含量和积累量均存在显著差异。鲜穗高产品种主要在大口至开花阶段增加了吸氮量;而鲜子粒及成熟子粒高产品种主要在大口至开花,其次在开花至鲜穗采收阶段增加了吸氮量。通径分析表明,氮素积累过程主要影响氮素积累总量的高低,而对氮素利用效率影响较小。氮素积累过程S型曲线的Richards方程特征参数品种间差异显著。最大积累速率大、活跃积累期长、快增期的积累速率大和持续时间长对提高品种的氮素吸收总量有利。属于高产、氮素吸收量大、氮素利用效率高的基因型有6个品种,其大口至开花及开花至鲜穗采收阶段的吸氮量平均值分别为1.136和0.554.g/plant,比其它品种分别高24.3%和37.8%;最大积累速率和快增期的积累速率分别为0.068和0.059.g/(d.plant),比其它品种分别高15.8%和15.9%。活跃积累期和快增期的持续时间平均值分别为63.4和29.5.d,比其它品种分别延长了1.9和0.9d。     

结实期弱光胁迫对甜玉米籽粒灌浆和叶片衰老的影响

为探索甜玉米生长发育对花后弱光的响应,以京科甜183和京科甜533为材料,结实期(人工授粉至鲜食期)利用遮阳网进行50%遮光处理,研究结实期弱光胁迫对甜玉米籽粒灌浆和叶片衰老的影响。结果表明,春播和夏播处理下,弱光胁迫均使甜玉米穗粒数减少,鲜籽粒重降低,进而导致产量损失;随灌浆进程推进,鲜籽粒体积、鲜重、干重和叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量逐渐升高,籽粒含水率、叶片可溶性蛋白含量和SPAD值逐渐下降。结实期弱光胁迫显著降低鲜籽粒体积、鲜重和干重,花后27 d时籽粒含水率较低,叶片可溶性蛋白质含量和SPAD值降低,MDA含量增加,过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性提高。总体上,弱光胁迫能加快甜玉米叶片衰老,进而限制籽粒灌浆,导致籽粒重量下降。本研究结果为甜玉米结实期叶片衰老和籽粒灌浆在低光照条件下的调控提供了理论参考。     

Consequence of Starch Damage on Rheological Properties of Maize Starch Pastes

Waxy and normal maize starches were damaged to different extents by ball milling, with waxy starch notably more susceptible to damage. Starch damage caused substantial decreases in shear stress or apparent viscosity in both waxy and normal maize starch pastes at a wide range of shear rates (5.6 to 400 1/sec). Shear stress or apparent viscosity decreases were more evident in waxy than in normal maize starch pastes at the same ball milling times. Values of storage moduli were much higher than values of loss moduli, and storage moduli decreased with increase in starch damage in both waxy and normal maize starches, indicating decrease in elastic property. The study showed that starch damage causes substantial rheological changes in gelatinized pastes and that waxy starch undergoes more pronounced changes than normal starch. These results can be used to understand the general behavior of damaged normal and waxy starches in processed foods.     

紧凑型糯玉米种质资源的创制与评价

为创制紧凑型糯玉米种质,本研究以紧凑型普通玉米自交系郑58为供体亲本,以平展型糯玉米自交系通759为轮回亲本,通过标记辅助回交结合叶夹角表型选择的方法,转移玉米叶夹角主效QTL(qLA5)有利等位基因,创制了29份紧凑型BC₂F₂单株。48个标记背景选择及高密度下株型、抗逆性、产量、品质等18个性状综合鉴定,筛选出株型紧凑、产量高、抗逆性强、品质优良的糯玉米新种质4份,使轮回亲本平均基因组含量由78.48%提高到88.67%,可作为紧凑型糯玉米育种的亲本材料。本研究结果为利用普通玉米改良糯玉米种质,选育紧凑型优质鲜食糯玉米新品种提供了理论参考。     

Retrogradation of Maize Starch After Thermal Treatment Within and Above the Gelatinization Temperature Range

Studies of starch retrogradation have not considered the initial thermal treatment. In this article, we explore the effect of heating to temperatures within and above the gelatinization range on maize starch retrogradation. In the first experiment, 30% suspensions of waxy (wx) starch were initially heated to final temperatures ranging from 54 to 72°C and held for 20 min. On reheating in the differential scanning calorimeter immediately after cooling, the residual gelatinization endotherm peak temperature increased, the endotherm narrowed, and enthalpy decreased. Samples stored for seven days at 4°C showed additional amylopectin retrogradation endotherms. Retrogradation increased dramatically as initial holding temperature increased from 60 to 72°C. In a second experiment, wx starch was initially heated to final temperatures from 54 to 180°C and rapidly cooled, followed by immediate reheating or storage at 4°C. Maximum amylopectin retrogradation enthalpy after storage was observed for initial heating to 82°C. Above 82°C, retrogradation enthalpy decreased as initial heating temperature increased. A similar effect for ae wx starch was observed, except that retrogradation occurred more rapidly than for wx starch. These experiments show that heating to various temperatures above the range of gelatinization may profoundly affect amylopectin retrogradation, perhaps due to varying extents of residual molecular order in starch materials that are commonly presumed to be fully gelatinized. This article shows that studies of starch retrogradation should take into account the thermal history of the samples even for temperatures above the gelatinization temperature range.     

Modification of Starch by Dry Heating with Ionic Gums

Waxy maize (native and hydroxypropylated [HP]) and potato starches were impregnated with ionic gums (sodium alginate, CMC, and xanthan, 1% based on starch solids) and heat‐treated in a dry state for 0, 2, or 4 hr at 130°C. Effects of the dry heating on paste viscosity (RVA) and clarity (light transmittance) were examined. Heat treatment with sodium alginate and CMC raised the paste viscosities of native and HP waxy maize starches, but decreased that of potato starch. Xanthan provided the most substantial changes in paste viscosity among the tested gums. It appeared to heavily restrict granule swelling of the waxy maize starches, but it increased swelling of potato starch granules. Dry heating raised the paste viscosity of all the starch‐gum mixtures tested, except the potato starchalginate mixture. The final viscosity at 50°C of a 7% paste was raised in all other starches by ≈500–1,000 cP by this treatment. The paste of waxy maize starch‐gum products became opaque and shorter textured by the heat treatment, regardless of the gum type, whereas potato starch‐gum products did not show any obvious change in paste clarity. Ionic gums could behave as cross‐linking agents as well as form graft copolymers through heatinduced ester formation. This simple heating process with ionic gums could be used as a modification method for starch.     

Effects of Heat Stress and Cultivar on the Functional Properties of Starch in Chinese Wheat

Heat stress during the grain‐filling stage is a major limiting factor for improving Chinese wheat production, and its effect on functional properties of flours and starches in 10 leading cultivars from the Yellow and Huai Valleys grown under normal and heat‐stress environments was investigated. Heat stress during the grain‐filling stage decreased total starch content but increased protein and lipid contents of wheat grains. Amylose content of wheat starch was little altered under a heat‐stress environment. Heat stress did not significantly change swelling power and starch solubility of wheat starches but significantly decreased swelling power of wheat flours. Pasting viscosities of wheat starches and flours were affected differentially by heat stress. Heat stress had a significant effect on gelatinization and retrogradation properties of starches. The in vitro enzymatic digestibility of wheat starches was affected slightly by heat stress. Analysis of variance indicated that heat stress had a significant effect on some functional properties of starch and flour, although the largest source of variability in these properties was cultivar.     

Method for Determining the Rate and Extent of Accelerated Starch Retrogradation

A method to accelerate and quantitate retrogradation of starch pastes using a freeze-thaw cycle (FTC) process and turbidometric analysis has been developed. Using this method and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), it was determined that the rate of retrogradation in 2.5% waxy maize pastes was inversely correlated to the rate of freezing, and that the thawing temperature affected perfection of the crystallites in retrograded amylopectin. DSC and X-ray diffraction were used to determine whether the crystallites formed during the FTC process were the same as those formed in starch pastes held isothermally at 4°C. Analysis of retrogradation of pastes of starches from various botanical sources indicated that the method reflects retrogradation in higher concentration pastes. Retrogradation rates were reduced by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Microstructures of freeze-thaw processed waxy maize and common corn starch pastes were examined.     

甜玉米氮素积累和分配的基因型差异

为了解甜玉米高产品种氮素积累和分配的规律,阐明不同生育阶段氮素积累和分配的基因型差异,及其对产量形成及氮素利用效率的作用,分析了22个甜玉米品种在同一施氮水平下拔节期、开花期和鲜食期的植株氮素积累量和分配量。结果表明,甜玉米品种不同阶段的氮素积累和分配存在着显著的基因型差异。随着生育进程的推进,植株氮素含量逐渐下降,氮素积累量逐渐上升,不同生育阶段的氮素积累量以拔节到开花期最高;氮素在开花前主要分布在叶片中,在开花后开始由叶片逐渐向果穗转移。到鲜食期,甜玉米不同品种果穗中氮素分配量最高,占全株氮素总积累量的41.32%,其次为子粒,氮素分配量占全株氮素积累量的28.53%。高产品种拔节—鲜食期氮素积累量高,鲜果穗高产品种在鲜食期叶片和子粒中的氮素分配较高,鲜子粒高产品种在鲜食期叶片和雄穗中氮素分配量较高且轴中氮素分配量较低。鲜果穗氮素利用效率高的品种主要是由于其减少了开花—鲜食期的氮素积累量,其次是减少了拔节—开花期的氮素积累量,且其在鲜食期叶片、轴和叶鞘中的氮素分配量较少。鲜子粒氮素利用效率和各阶段的氮素积累量及鲜食期各器官的氮素分配量无显著相关关系。