Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #80012
Title: EFFECTS OF LOCATION AND POLLINATION METHOD OF THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OFSEVERAL DENT CORN HYBRIDS

Author
item KRIEGER, K - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Pollak, Linda
item WHITE, P - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Food Technologists Institute
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Self-pollination is a labor intensive technique performed to obtain corn with desired genotypes. If production of corn kernels with desired fatty acid compositions could be achieved using open-pollinated seed, self- pollination could be eliminated. The effects of three pollination methods on the fatty acid composition of twenty-four dent corn hybrids was done to determine the importance of self-pollination on oil quality. Hybrids were planted at two locations, Story City, and Ames, IA. At the Story City location, hybrids received three pollination treatments; self, small-open, and large-open. Self-pollinated corn was grown in plots of 32 feet x 8 rows. Hybrids grown at Ames received only two pollination treatments; self and large-open. Oil was extracted from all corn samples and the fatty acid compositions of the samples were determined by using a gas chromatograph. Significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) were noted among pollination methods and locations, depending on the fatty acid analyzed. The Story City location had more fatty acid content differences among pollination methods than the Ames location. Palmitic (16:0) and oleic acid (18:0) percentages were different among pollination methods at the Story City and Ames locations, with values ranging from 2.0% (18:0) for self- pollination to 2.2% (18:0) for small- and large-open pollination. Self- pollination is necessary if the research goal is to control the 18:0, 18:2, 18:3, and total saturated fatty acid percentages of corn oil. However, if the research is concerned with the 16:0 and or 18:1 percentage of corn oil, the recommendation might be to open pollinate the corn.