Protein quality of corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics and the effect of nitrogen fertilization 1

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an important source of protein for humans and animals. Because dent corn is highly responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization, substantial amounts of N are used for corn production. Application of N fertilizer may reduce protein quality of corn kernels through an increase in zein content. The objective of this study was to determine if corn endosperm characteristics influence the effect of N fertilization on protein quality. In 1988, six corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics were grown at two locations in Ohio and with two N rates, 34 and 200 kg/ha. The waxy hybrid had a greater concentration of fraction I protein than the non‐wary hybrid. These two hybrids did not differ for other fractions except fraction III at Columbus. The soft endosperm hybrid had a higher concentration of fraction I protein than the hard endosperms hybrids. Soft and hard endosperm hybrids differed for fraction II protein for the 34 kg N/ha fertilizer rate but not the 200 kg N/ha fertilizer rate. These two classes of hybrids did not differ for fraction III protein. Increasing N fertilizer increased fraction II concentration for all hybrids. Concentrations of the other two protein fractions did not respond to fertilizer rate. The increase in fraction II concentration with N fertilization may result in a decrease of protem quality and feed value. Although all hybrids responded to N fertilizer, some hybrids had bigger increases in fraction II proteins than other hybrids.