Physical and chemical properties of various corn genotypes as a criterion of technological quality

Abstract

Physical properties, such as test weight, 1000-kernel weight, kernel density flotation index, water absorption index and kernel hardness and chemical properties: protein, starch and oil contents, of twenty the most widely grown ZP corn hybrids of different genetic background and utilization purposes were studied. The results showed wide ranges of chemical and physical properties among the selected corn hybrids. Protein, starch and oil contents ranged from 8.9 to 13.5%, 67.5 to 73.7%, and 4.1 to 6.5%, respectively. The test weight was within the range of 771.8-897.7 kg m-3, while the 1000-kernel weight ranged from 121.6 to 392.7 g. The kernel density, i.e. flotation index was within the range of 1.23-1.34 g cm-3, i.e. 0-71 %, respectively, while the water absorption index ranged from 0.155 to 0.278. Kernel hardness, expressed as a milling response, and a hard fraction portion varied in the tested samples from 9.4 to 19.9s and 49.6 to 75.2%, respectively. The correlation analysis points to a very great interdependence among certain physical and chemical properties. Obtained high correlation coefficients could be used to predict not so easily measurable parameters based on the known value of the corresponding easily measurable parameter. A wide scope of tested quality parameters offers many possibilities in selection and estimation of hybrids for certain purposes.