不同施氮水平下稻米品质对日间增温响应的差异

以武育粳3号为材料,设置低、中、高3个氮素穗肥处理,开放环境下使用加热器进行日间增温处理,研究灌浆结实期不同施氮水平下稻米品质对日间增温响应的差异。结果表明: 1）灌浆结实期日间增温使各氮肥处理精米率和整精米率下降,垩白粒率和垩白度增加,糙米率和子粒长宽比各氮肥处理变化不一,低氮和中氮处理糙米率和子粒长宽比减小,高氮处理则变大;加工品质和外观品质各指标变化幅度均以中氮处理最大,减少或增加氮肥施用量均可以有效地缓解高温对稻米加工品质和外观品质的负面效应,尤以增施氮肥效果较佳。2）增温条件下,减少和增加氮肥施用量均能降低稻米直链淀粉含量,其中增施氮肥降低幅度较大;增温后各氮肥处理蛋白含量均增加,增加幅度与施氮量呈负相关关系,高温高氮处理直链淀粉含量最低,蛋白含量最高。3）增温后各穗肥处理结实率和千粒重均下降,以中氮处理下降最显著;减少和增加穗氮施用量均能有效地缓解高温对水稻产量的影响,其中也以增施氮肥相对较好。综上所述,适当地增加氮肥施用量能较有效地缓解高温对稻米品质和产量的负面影响。     

氮肥对稻米垩白及蒸煮食味品质特性的影响

利用稻米品质特性不同的 7个粳稻品种 ,研究了氮肥对稻米垩白率、理化特性及淀粉谱特性的影响。结果表明 ,随着氮肥施用量的增加 ,稻米垩白率和直链淀粉含量逐渐降低 ,胶稠度变短 ,蛋白质含量提高 ,而在稻米淀粉谱特性中除糊化开始温度略提高外 ,其余特性均降低或变小 ;在水稻全生育期施同等量的氮肥时 ,与生育前期追施氮肥相比 ,抽穗期追施氮肥 ,其稻米的垩白率和直链淀粉含量降低 ,胶稠度变短 ,蛋白质含量提高 ,但对稻米淀粉谱特性的影响很小。品质特性对氮肥的反应敏感程度品种间有差异。     

氮肥运筹对免耕高留茬抛秧稻氮素吸收、运转和子粒品质的影响

田间裂区试验研究了氮肥运筹对免耕高留茬抛秧稻氮素吸收、运转和稻米品质的影响。结果表明,随施氮量增加,水稻吸氮增多,转移到穗部的比例下降、滞留在叶片中的比例增加,氮素干物质生产效率和产谷效率下降。增施氮肥提高了糙米率、精米率和整精米率,垩白米率、垩白度和蛋白质含量随施氮量增加而上升。随施氮量的增加,淀粉RVA谱特征的最高粘度和崩解值降低,消减值和糊化温度升高。基∶蘖∶穗肥比为7∶0∶3和4∶3∶3处理提高了氮素农艺效率、稻米蛋白质含量、消减值,降低了最高粘度。     

不同施氮处理对水稻氮素吸收及产量的影响

从水稻高效施肥的角度,通过田间小区试验,分析不同施氮肥处理对水稻氮素吸收及产量的影响。结果表明,在一定氮肥施用量范围内,水稻氮素吸收量及产量随氮肥施用量增加而提高,氮肥施用过量时,水稻氮素吸收量及产量降低;等量的氮肥(210 kg.hm-2)处理下,随着追肥次数的增加,其水稻氮素吸收量及产量也随之提高;在基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥∶粒肥=3∶3∶3∶1的情况下,水稻氮素吸收量及产量均达到最高水平。     

不同品种稻米品质形成对盐胁迫的响应

为明确盐浓度对稻米品质形成的影响及其机制,以江苏省大面积种植水稻品种南粳9108和盐稻12号为试验材料,种植于土培池中,全生育期以盐水灌溉代替淡水灌溉,盐浓度设置0.10%、0.15%、0.20%、0.25%、0.30%、0.35%,并以淡水(盐浓度0%)灌溉为对照(CK),研究不同盐浓度对稻米品质形成的影响。结果表明,与CK相比,在低盐浓度(0.10%~0.15%)下,直链淀粉含量显著降低,稻米的糙米率、精米率和整精米率增加,稻米淀粉黏滞特性(RVA谱)的峰值黏度、热浆黏度和最终黏度增加,米饭的外观、黏度、平衡度和食味值在0.10%盐浓度下高于CK,南粳9108和盐稻12号的胶稠度在0.10%盐浓度下分别较CK高4.5和3.5 mm;在中、高盐浓度(0.20%~0.35%)下,稻米的加工品质、蒸煮食味品质和稻米淀粉黏滞特性明显降低。稻米的垩白粒率和垩白度随着盐浓度的增加而减小。综上可知,在低盐浓度(0.10%~0.15%)下,稻米的品质总体有一定的改善;高盐浓度(0.35%)下,稻米品质明显变劣。本研究通过分析不同盐浓度下水稻的品质状况,为滩涂水稻高产与品质调优栽培提供了参考。     

蛋白质中二硫键对稻米淀粉黏滞性的影响

在6个不同品种的稻米粉中添加二硫苏糖醇以打破米粉中蛋白质的二硫键,用快速粘度分析仪测定淀粉的黏滞谱,研究稻米中蛋白质二硫键对稻米黏滞性的影响。结果显示,样品中添加DTT（二硫苏糖醇）后,糊化温度降低,糯稻的峰值粘度下降,其他样品的峰值粘度上升,而消减值极显著降低。蛋白质影响米饭的蒸煮食味品质,可能是二硫键结合形成的蛋白质网络的变化引起稻米吸水性改变而起作用。     

稻草全量还田下氮肥运筹对双季晚稻产量及其氮素吸收利用的影响

【目的】稻草还田和合理的氮肥运筹不仅可以改良土壤和培肥地力,提高农作物产量和品质,还可以减少因过量施用氮肥带来的环境污染。随着水稻机械化收割的快速发展,稻草全量原位还田面积迅速扩大。因此,研究稻草全量还田后合理施用氮肥十分必要。本文通过早稻机收稻草切碎全量还田后晚稻氮肥运筹试验,探索该条件下晚稻氮肥的合理施用技术。【方法】以超级晚稻品种淦鑫688为试验材料,设计4个施氮（N）水平（0、 120、 180、 240 kg/hm2）基蘖穗肥比例为5∶2∶3,并在180 kg/hm2水平下增设稻草不还田对照处理和稻草全量还田下基蘖穗肥不同施氮比例处理（5∶0∶5、 5∶1∶4、 5∶2∶3、 5∶3∶2、 5∶4∶1、 5∶5∶0）。旨在分析不同处理间水稻产量、 产量构成和氮素吸收利用的差异。【结果】稻草全量还田下,施氮量在180 kg/hm2以下时产量随施氮量的增加而增加,之后则下降,处理间差异极显著。随施氮量的增加,有效穗数显著增加,而结实率则显著下降,施氮处理每穗粒数和千粒重显著高于不施氮处理。在相同施氮水平下,因为有效穗数、 结实率和千粒重显著提高,所以稻草全量还田产量极显著高于不还田处理,增幅8.83%。稻草全量还田同一施氮水平下,施氮比例为 5∶2∶3 处理产量极显著高于其他处理,其每穗粒数和千粒重均为最高,有效穗数随分蘖肥比例的增加而减少,处理间结实率差异不显著。稻草全量还田后,随着施氮量增加,其氮素总积累量、 氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也显著提高,且与施氮量呈极显著正相关。但氮素收获指数和氮肥生理利用率均随施氮量的增加而降低。同一施氮水平下,全量还田处理水稻氮肥农学利用率和生理利用率均显著高于不还田处理。相关分析表明, 氮素总积累量与产量呈二次抛物线极显著正相关,氮肥表观利用率、 氮素吸收率与产量呈极显著正相关。稻草全量还田相同施氮水平下,随着穗肥施氮比例降低,其氮素总积累量、 中期的积累量和比率下降,其氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素的吸收率也随之降低,但前期的氮素积累量和比率则升高。氮素的农学利用率和生理利用率均表现为随着穗肥比例的减少呈先增加后降低趋势,均以施氮比例为5∶2∶3处理处理最高,不施穗肥处理最低。各施氮比例处理中,穗肥的施氮量与氮素的总积累量、 中期积累量、 氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素吸收率呈极显著正相关,氮肥的农学利用率和生理利用率与产量显著正相关。【结论】稻草全量还田后配施适量的氮肥可以提高晚稻产量,本试验以配施N 180 kg/hm2产量最高;在施纯N 240 kg/hm2以内,施氮越多,氮素积累量越多,相应的氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也越大。总施氮量相同条件下,以基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥为 5∶2∶3 的施氮比例水稻产量, 氮肥农学、 生理利用率均为最高,此结果可作为双季稻区稻草全量还田后的推荐施氮比例。     

双季晚粳稻氮肥精确运筹研究

【目的】我国南方双季稻区晚稻品种以籼稻为主。近年来我国粳米需求量逐渐增大,研究者提出了利用南方双季稻区充足的温光等资源进行晚季稻籼改粳以提高粳稻总产量。系统研究双季晚粳稻高产、优质和高效的氮肥运筹方式就显得十分重要。【方法】 2011~2012年,在南方典型双季稻区江西省上高县泗溪镇,以杂交粳稻常优5号和甬优8号为晚稻材料,在总施纯氮量 225 kg/hm2 条件下,设置10∶0、8∶2、7∶3、6∶4、5∶5、4∶6、3∶7 七种基蘖肥与穗肥运筹比例,通过研究不同氮肥运筹方式对双季晚粳稻产量及其构成因素、叶面积指数、茎蘖动态、光合物质生产与积累、氮 素吸收利用以及稻米品质等方面的影响,明确了南方稻区双季晚粳稻氮肥精确运筹模式。【结果】 随基蘖肥占总施氮量比例的降低,结实率、千粒重和每穗粒数呈先增加后减少的趋势,穗数呈减少趋势。氮肥基蘖肥与穗肥比例在6∶4、7∶3范围内,双季晚粳稻群体穗数充足、穗型大、群体颖花量高,且结实率和千粒重较稳定,产量显著高于其他处理,最高产量为9985 kg/hm2。拔节前群体茎蘖数增加较慢,但高峰苗数适宜,拔节后群体茎蘖数下降平缓,茎蘖成穗率显著高于其他处理,高于70%;生育中期和后期,群体叶面积指数较高,群体光合势高,光合生产力强,干物质积累量显著提高。随基蘖肥占总施氮量比例降低,成熟期氮素积累总量、氮肥表观利用率、氮肥农学利用率及氮肥偏生产力均呈先增加后减少的趋势,百公斤稻谷需氮量呈先减少后增加的趋势。6∶4和7∶3处理拔节前氮素积累量较少,拔节至抽穗期氮素积累量和成熟期积累量显著高于其他处理。6∶4和7∶3处理氮肥表观利用率、农学利用率及偏生产力显著高于其他处理,百公斤稻谷需氮量显著低于其他处理。氮肥表观利用率 与基蘖肥比例呈开口向下的二次曲线关系。同时该氮肥运筹模式可改善稻米加工品质、蒸煮食味和营养品质,但增加了稻米垩白率和垩白度,RVA谱特征值各指标不能同时达到最佳值。【结论】基蘖肥∶ 穗肥为 6∶4、7∶3的氮肥运筹方案,可使双季晚粳稻高产、优质、高效得到较好的协调统一。     

不同氮、硅用量对水稻产量和品质的影响

硅素和氮素是水稻正常生长必需的两大营养元素.水稻氮肥的施用技术及氮肥对水稻产量和品质的影响已有大量的研究[1-5].结果表明,适宜的氮素施用量和施肥时期,可以提高抽穗期群体源库质量和群体成穗率,形成高势粒比群体而高产;氮肥施用量对水稻的品质也会产生一定的影响,但不同品种对氮素施用量的反应不同.     

氮肥运筹方式对晚稻产量、品质和氮素利用率的影响研究

在基础地力和施氮量相同的条件下,研究氮素基肥、蘖肥和穗肥不同运筹方式对晚稻产量、品质和氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明:氮肥适当后移能够保持土壤适宜的NH4+-N的浓度,促进晚稻的生长,表现为产量、干物质和氮积累量的增加。当基肥施氮量占总施氮量比例53.8%时,产量达到最高。增加穗肥比例有利于提高碾米品质,但不利于外观品质和食味品质的提高,适当氮肥的后移有利于氮肥利用率的提高,当基肥施氮量占总施氮量的40.3%时,晚稻的吸氮量和氮肥利用率最高,土壤氮素依存率随着基肥施用比例呈倒抛物线关系,当氮素基肥施用比例为40.0%时,对土壤氮素依存率最低为54.5%,氮素收获指数和百公斤籽粒需氮量都随基肥用量的减少而增加。以目标产量相适宜的施总氮量条件下基施氮肥比例为40%～50%,分蘖肥控制在20%～30%左右,穗肥占20%～30%,有利于保持一定的产量和氮肥利用率的提高。     

乳熟阶段短期高温对不同品种早籼稻直链淀粉含量和RVA谱特征参数的影响

以2个杂交稻（淦鑫203和金优402）和4个常规稻（中531、B670、E134和ST66）为材料,于水稻乳熟期进行高温处理3d,处理温度分别为35℃和38℃,以同期田间自然温度为对照,研究乳熟期高温对不同品种早籼稻直链淀粉含量和RVA谱特征参数的影响,并对稻米淀粉RVA谱特征值与直链淀粉含量进行相关分析.结果表明,无论是对照还是高温处理,中531和B670的直链淀粉含量、消减值及回复值较低,但崩解值较高,而E134和ST66表现为直链淀粉含量、消减值及回复值较高,崩解值较低;杂交稻淦鑫203和金优402则介于两者中间.与对照相比,38℃高温显著降低淦鑫203、金优402、中531和E134的崩解值,显著提高淦鑫203、中531的消减值、显著降低金优402、中531、B670和E134的回复值.各处理淀粉RVA谱变化趋势较一致,但因品种及温度而略有差异.38℃高温处理下稻米淀粉黏滞性曲线始终低于对照,但常规稻中531和B670的RVA谱形态与对照差异不大.此外,稻米直链淀粉含量与RVA谱各特征值间存在显著相关性.     

Octenyl succinic anhydride modified early indica rice starches differing in amylose content

Seven early indica rice starches with different amylose contents were modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) in aqueous suspension systems to evaluate the effect of amylose contents on starch esterification. The crystalline structure and pasting properties of starches were investigated using X-ray diffraction and a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA). The results indicated that the amylose content had a positive impact on the OSA modification. As the amylose content increased from 0 to 39.6%, the degree of substitution increased from 0.024 to 0.030 and the reaction efficiency increased from 62.8 to 77.5%. X-ray diffraction scans confirmed that the amylose was mainly present in the amorphous domain of the granule and was highly substituted after the OSA treatment. The RVA profiles demonstrated that the OSA starches had higher viscosities than their native counterparts. Moreover, negative correlations were observed between the amylose content and the major RVA parameters (e.g., peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity, cool paste viscosity, and breakdown viscosity).     

钵苗摆栽籼粳杂交稻和常规粳稻丰产优质适宜施氮量分析

研究钵苗摆栽下籼粳杂交稻、常规粳稻丰产优质施氮量及综合效益,提出安徽沿江地区钵苗摆栽下适宜粳稻类型及施氮量。于2016—2017年连续2 a开展大田试验,以当地主栽籼粳杂交稻甬优1540和常规粳稻镇稻18为供试品种,设置0、195、255、315、375 kg/hm~2共5个氮肥水平(分别用N0、N195、N255、N315、N375表示),研究不同施氮水平对钵苗摆栽下不同类型粳稻产量、品质、相关农艺性状及经济效益的影响。结果表明,籼粳杂交稻甬优15402a均在N315处理下产量最高,达到10.30～11.55t/hm~2。常规粳稻镇稻18各施氮处理下水稻产量无显著差异,产量为7.43～8.91 t/hm~2。增施氮肥,不同程度增加了2个品种的糙米率、精米率和蛋白质含量,提高了加工品质和营养品质,但垩白率和垩白度整体有所提高,直链淀粉含量增高,不利于外观品质和食味的改善。甬优1540在N315处理下的整精米率与N375无差异,且在N315处理下的垩白度与N195无显著差异。另外,镇稻18在N195处理下的整精米率、蛋白质含量、垩白度和直链淀粉含量与其他氮肥处理无显著差异。钵苗摆栽下籼粳杂交稻丰产优质施氮量为315kg/hm~2,常规粳稻为195 kg/hm~2。在适氮水平下,钵苗摆栽甬优1540较镇稻18提高水稻产量22.9%～23.2%,整精米率2.15%～4.50%,蛋白质含量30.44%～37.41%,经济效益51.07%～53.33%,同时降低垩白度9.52%～13.73%。总的来说,在适宜氮肥水平下,钵苗摆栽下籼粳杂交稻较常规粳稻提高了水稻产量、品质和经济效益。     

Comparison of Starch Pasting Properties at Various Cooking Conditions Using the Micro Visco‐Amylo‐Graph and the Rapid Visco Analyser

Pasting profiles of selected starches were compared by using a Micro Visco‐Amylo‐Graph (MVA) and a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). Effects of cooking (heating/cooling) rate and stirring speed on starch pasting properties were examined. The pasting viscosity of a starch suspension (8%, w/w, dsb) was measured at a fast (6°C/min) and slow (1.5°C/min) cooking rate while being stirred at either 75 rpm or 160 rpm. The pasting temperatures (PT) of all starches were higher when measured at the fast cooking rate than those at the slow cooking rate, except for wheat measured by using the RVA. PT was also higher when measured at the slow stirring speed (75 rpm) than at the fast stirring speed (160 rpm) in both RVA and MVA. When stirring speed increased from 75 rpm to 160 rpm, peak viscosity of all starch pastes except potato decreased measured by using the RVA, but increased by using the MVA. In general, amylograms of these starches obtained by using the MVA showed less breakdown, but greater setback viscosity than did that obtained by using the RVA. Differences in starch pasting properties between MVA and RVA, measured at the same cooking and stirring rates, were attributed mainly to the difference in spindle structure.     

Increase in Apparent Amylose Content and Change in Starch Pasting Properties at Cool Growth Temperatures in Mutant Wheat

Some mutant wheat lines with low‐amylose content were grown in a field and greenhouse (15 or 20°C) to compare apparent amylose content and starch pasting properties. The apparent amylose content of flour and starch increased and starch pasting parameters as measured by a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) changed in the greenhouse (at cool temperatures) during seed maturation. Densitometric analysis of the protein band separated by electrophoresis suggested that the increase in amylose content by cool temperature was related to the amount of Wx‐D1 protein. This data suggests that the Wx‐D1 gene was responsible for these changes. In wheat starch from Tanikei A6099 and Tanikei A6598 at 15°C, the value of final viscosity and total setback was higher than that from the field. In wheat starch from Tanikei A6599‐4 (waxy mutant with stable hot paste viscosity), the peak viscosity temperature was higher and time maintained >80% of the peak was shorter at 15°C than that from the field. Genetic analysis using doubled‐haploid (DH) lines from a combination of Tanikei A6599‐4 and Kanto 118 (low‐amylose line) showed that apparent amylose content increased and the starch pasting curve and properties changed in waxy progenies similar to Tanikei A6599‐4.     

Grain qualities and their genetic derivation of 7 new rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties

NERICA are interspecific rice varieties from crossing between the high-yielding Asian rice ( Oryza sativa spp. Japonica) with locally adapted African rice ( Oryza glaberrima). In this study, we analyzed grain qualities of 7 NERICA varieties (NERICA 1 to 7) and genetic derivation of quality-related genes. Quality analyses of NERICA grains showed that 7 NERICA varieties were clearly classified into two groups based on the difference of amylose content, and the difference influenced the pasting and physical properties of grains. Genetic analysis of the gene encoding granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), which is known as a key enzyme on amylose synthesis in rice grain, revealed that varieties with higher amylose content ( approximately 29%) have the gene derived from O. glaberrima parent, and group 2 with lower amylose content ( approximately 22%) have the gene from O. sativa parent. These results indicated that the difference in amylose content as well as grain properties among 7 NERICA varieties is mainly determined by the genetic derivation of GBSSI. Further genetic analysis of starch synthesis-related genes suggested that the genetic derivation of SSIIa also influences the chain length of amylopectin in 7 NERICA varieties.     

Molecular and Gelatinization Properties of Rice Starches from IR24 and Sinandomeng Cultivars

The differences in pasting properties involving gelatinization and retrogradation of rice starches from IR24 and Sinandomeng cultivars during heating‐cooling processes were investigated using a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA)and a dynamic rheometer. The results were discussed in relation to the molecular structure, actual amylose content (AC), and concentration of the starches. Generally, both starches possessed a comparable AC (≈11 wt%), amylose average chain length (CL), iodine absorption properties, and dynamic rheological parameters on heating to 95°C at 10 wt% and on cooling to 10°C at higher concentrations. In contrast to Sinandomeng, IR24 amylose had a greater proportion of high molecular weight species and number‐average degree of polymerization (DP_n). IR24 amylopectin possessed a lower DP_n and greater CL, exterior CL (ECL), and interior CL (ICL). Comparing the results of RVA analysis and dynamic rheology, the gelatinization properties and higher retrogradation tendencies of IR24 starch can be related to the structural properties and depend on starch concentration. In addition, the exponent n of starch concentration for storage moduli at 25°C (G′₂₅ ∝ Cⁿ) increased linearly with increasing AC.     

抽穗扬花期低温胁迫对双季晚稻生理特性的影响

为探究抽穗扬花期低温胁迫对不同晚稻品种生理特性的影响,本研究以2个耐冷品种(岳优27、昌粳225)和2个冷敏感品种(泰丰优208、黄华占)为试验材料,于抽穗扬花期在人工气候室进行低温处理,分析其光合特性、抗氧化酶活性、穗部性状与稻米品质等。结果表明,随着低温处理时间的延长,各晚稻品种花粉活力均降低,除过氧化氢酶(CAT)外的抗氧化酶活性、丙二醛(MDA)及可溶性蛋白(SP)含量都有不同程度的增加,其中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和SP含量呈先增加后降低的趋势,而CAT活性呈先降低后增加的趋势,结实率和千粒重呈降低趋势。低温胁迫也会影响稻米品质及稻米RVA值,具体表现为随着低温处理时间的延长,各晚稻品种精米率降低,垩白粒率、垩白度和胶稠度增加,直链淀粉与粗蛋白含量呈先增加后降低的趋势;峰值黏度、崩解值逐渐降低,冷胶黏度、回复值和消减值逐渐升高。相较于冷敏感品种泰丰优208和黄华占,耐冷品种岳优27和昌粳225的抗氧化酶活性和SP含量较高,MDA含量较低;结实率和千粒重降低幅度较小,花粉活性降低幅度也较小,其中在第5天昌粳225降幅最小,为4.38%;稻米品质中精米率、垩白粒率、胶稠度、直链淀粉含量和蛋白质含量变化幅度较小,而垩白度增加幅度较大,RVA谱中峰值黏度降低幅度较大,热浆黏度反应较慢,而冷胶黏度和回复值较先达到最大值,崩解值和消解值的变化幅度较小。综上,耐冷品种岳优27和昌粳225抽穗扬花期相较于冷敏感品种泰丰优208和黄华占表现出较强耐受低温胁迫的能力。本研究结果可为抽穗扬花期耐低温双季晚稻的选育与栽培提供一定的理论参考。     

Structural Characteristics,Properties, and In Vitro Digestibility of Rice

Using rice samples derived from normal rice cultivars and endosperm starch mutant, we investigated key factors contributing to the enzyme digestibility of steamed rice grains. The chemical composition of polished rice grains, structural features of endosperm starch, and enzyme digestibility of steamed rice grains were examined. The protein content of polished rice grains was 4.6–9.1%, amylose content was 4–27%, the DP_n of purified amylose was 900–1,600, the amylopectin short/long chain ratio was 1.2–5.9, and the enzyme digestibilities of steamed polished rice grains were 0.9–12.6 °Brix. Amylose content and RVA parameters (viscosity, breakdown, and setback) correlated significantly with enzyme digestibility of steamed rice grains. Multiple regression formulas were constructed to predict digestibility of steamed rice grain as a function of the molecular characteristics of the starch. When both amylose content and the short/long chain amylopectin ratio were used as predictor variables, they accounted for >80% of the observed variance in digestibility of steamed rice grains. Multiple regression revealed that the more digestible rice samples had starch with a lower amylose content and more short‐chain amylopectin. Reassociation of amylose‐lipid complex and recrystallization of amylopectin in the stored steamed rice grains was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the observed retrogradation properties were related to the structural characteristics of starch and to the enzyme digestibility of steamed rice grains.