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Gene Effects on Kernel Moisture and Sugars of Near‐Isogenic Lines of Sweet Corn 1
Author(s) -
Soberalske R. M.,
Andrew R. H.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1978.0011183x001800050012x
Subject(s) - endosperm , biology , germplasm , sucrose , food science , hybrid , zea mays , carbohydrate , botany , moisture , gene , sugar , agronomy , horticulture , biochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry
Numerous genes affect carbohydrate composition of the endosperm of corn ( Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to measure the effect of 10 gene combinations on level, rate of change, and interrelationships of kernel moisture and sugars during the first 4 weeks after pollination as influenced by the modifier complexes of seven adapted sweet corn inbreds. Four genes influencing endosperm carbohydrates, dull ( du ), sugary‐2 ( su 2 ), waxy ( wx ), and shrunken‐2 ( sh 2 ), and one double combination ( du wx ), each in association with the sugary‐1 alleles ( Su 1 and su 1 ), were incorporated into adapted sweet corn inbreds to give seven near‐isogenic series. Determinations were made of moisture, reducing sugars, sucrose, and total sugars at four successive harvests. The sh 2 gene, and to a lesser extent the du wx combination, show promise for improved kernel moisture and total sugars and for reduced rates of loss of these components as compared to sweet corn presently in use ( su 1 ) for processing. In view of the marked differences in the expression of these genes in the inbreds studied here it is desirable to incorporate them into a broad range of germplasm in a search for modifiers that will further improve and utilize their potential in hybrid combinations.