EFFECTS OF HUSK, COB AND PERICARP CHARACTERISTICS ON KERNEL MOISTURE CONTENT IN CORN DURING THE GRAIN-FILLING STAGE

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.