ISHS Acta Horticulturae 769: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential
NOVEL APPROACH TO EATING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN LOCAL WAXY CORN: IMPROVEMENT OF SWEET TASTE IN LOCAL WAXY CORN VARIETY WITH MIXED KERNELS FROM SUPER SWEET CORN |
| Authors: | K. Lertrat, N. Thongnarin |
| Keywords: | glutinous corn breeding, waxy corn hybrid, bicolor waxy corn hybrid |
| Abstract:
Waxy or glutinous corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina), one type of a natural genetic mutant of vegetable corns, was found in China since 1909. It is commercially grown for sticky taste green corn in Thailand and in many countries in Asia. Since local waxy corns are open-pollinated variety and vary in ear size, ear shape, kernel color and eating quality. Therefore, it is possible to develop new hybrid with unique eating quality and appearance. A waxy corn hybrid breeding program has been operating to develop new varieties with better eating quality and ear appearance, such as eating quality, kernel color and ear size, at Plant Breeding Research Center for Sustainable Agriculture since 2001. Waxy corn cultivars from Thailand and China and super sweet corn cultivars from Thailand and USA were used to develop two separated base populations. Inbred lines were extracted and tested to produce single cross hybrids. As a result, two single crosses glutinous corn hybrid, white and bicolor (white and yellow kernels) cultivars are developed. These hybrids are the first of an entirely new type of glutinous corn that has 75% waxy kernels and 25% super sweet kernels, which provide an extra kick of sweetness and result in delightful eating quality. Both cultivars produce well filled ear with 12-16 rows and can harvest at about 60 d after planting. Husked ears average 17 cm in length and 4.2 cm in diameter with 137-139 g ear weight. The hybrids are now being tested for commercial production. And commercial seeds will be available in early 2007. | |
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