Quality maize hybrids developed in Argentina: chemical evaluation of endosperm

CORCUERA, VR; BERNATENÉ, EA Y NARANJO, CA.

Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter

University of Illinois

Lugar: Illinois; Año: 2004 vol. 78 p. 29 - 30

1090-4573

Although less than 20% of Argenina´s maize production is used in manufacturing, it is convenient to attend to the industrial requirements during the breedeing process in improving protein quality and content, as well as starch quality, to obtain new more highly valued commodities. Kernel quality homogeneity of the new hybrids is also a very important concern for maize breeders. In general terms, when the values found for the hybrids are compared to those of the inbreds, it can be stated that oil and starch content do not vary too much amongst them, but protein content in F2 kernels is always markedly lower that found in the respective inbreds. Finally, it can be said that many hybrids tested in the field trails show an exceptional kernel quality based in their oil, protein and starch content, which makes them more than suitable to be used for animal and human feed or as industrial staples.