A comparative evaluation of agronomic performance and kernel composition of normal and high sugary corn genotypes (Zea mays L.) grown for dry-grind ethanol production

Published Date

30 December 2016, Vol.94:9–19, doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.026

Title 

A comparative evaluation of agronomic performance and kernel composition of normal and high sugary corn genotypes (Zea mays L.) grown for dry-grind ethanol production

• Author 

• H. Zabed ^a,
• A.N. Boyce ^a,,
• G. Faruq ^b,
• J.N. Sahu ^c,d,e,,,

• aInstitute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• bBangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh
• cDepartment for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• dFaculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• ePetroleum and Chemical Engineering Program Area, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Tungku Gadong, P.O. Box 2909, Brunei Darussalam

Received 14 May 2016. Revised 13 August 2016. Accepted 13 August 2016. Available online 23 August 2016.

Highlights

• •
  Normal and high sugary corn genotypes were studied for agronomic and biochemical traits.
• •
  The agronomic traits varied characteristicallybetween normal and high sugary genotypes.
• •
  The non-carbohydrate components varied characteristically between normal and high sugary genotypes.
• •
  The carbohydrate components varied unusually between normal and high sugary genotypes.
• •
  High sugary genotypes with high sugar and low starch could be promising candidates for dry-grind ethanol.

Abstract

High sugary corn genotypes (Zea mays L.) have the potential to reduce enzyme consumption and enhance ethanol yield during dry-grind ethanol production. In the present work, four high sugary and four parent field corn genotypes (HSGs and PFCs, respectively) were studied comparatively to evaluate agronomic performance and kernel composition of the genotypes, as well as predict the effects of these traits on carbohydrate accumulation in the kernels. The corn genotypes were grown over two cropping years (2012 and 2013) under rain fed conditions, and some important agronomic traits and kernel biochemical components were determined. Both HSGs and PFCs varied in the agronomic properties, but these variations were not atypical in HSGs if compared with those of PFCs. The average grain yield ranged from 6.19 Mega gram per hectare (Mg/ha) to 9.43 Mg/ha in HSGs and 5.77 Mg/ha to 10.23 Mg/ha in PFCs. Sugar accumulation in the kernels was found to be negatively correlated with flowering time, grain filling period and physiological maturity of the genotypes. Compared with PFCs, a higher amount of total soluble sugars (TSS) and a lower quantity of starch were recorded in HSGs, which resulted a significant negative correlation between kernel starch and TSS. The agronomic performance and kernel composition of HSGs, particularly with high kernel sugars and low starch contents suggest that these corn genotypes could be promising candidates for producing cost-effective ethanol during dry-grind process.

Abbreviations

• AL, amylose
• AM, amylopectin
• AT, anthesis time
• BLM, black layer maturity
• DM, dry matter
• EL, ear length
• ELD, eight leaves development
• ENP, ear number per plant
• EW, ear weight
• FLD, four leaves development
• HSG, high sugary genotypes
• GRF, grain filling period
• GY, grain yield
• K, potassium
• KD, kernel depth
• KNP, kernel number per plant
• LL, leaf length
• LNP, leaves number per plant
• N, nitrogen
• P, phosphorous
• PFC, parent field corn
• pH, plant height
• PY, potential yield
• SET, seed emergence time
• ST, silking time
• TKW, thousand kernel weight
• TOM, total organic matter
• TOC, total organic carbon
• TRS, total reducing sugars
• TSS, total soluble sugars

Keywords

• Corn hybrid
• Grain yield
• Sugary corn
• Agronomic trait
• Corn ethanol
• Kernel composition

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• DOC (220K)

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author at: Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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