Interactions between the kernel N sink, grain yield and protein nutritional quality of maize

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Abstract
The isogenic opaque‐2 (o2) and its normal counterpart of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid ‘B14 × B37’ were used as a model system and grown under different levels of nitrogen fertility to test the importance of the kernel N sink (zein accumulation) relative to kernel osmotic potential, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and protein nutritional quality. Self‐pollination and reciprocal crosses were made with seven o2 hybrids and their normal counterparts in order to determine the effect of the kernel N sink and/or vegetative characteristics on kernel dry weight accumulation. The results indicate that with a small supply of nitrogen, both normal and o2 kernels produced only small amounts of zein, and kernel weights and grain yields were comparable. As the level of nitrogen increased, zein accumulated preferentially in normal, but not in o2, and differences in kernel weight and grain yield between these two genotypes became greater. The reduction of dry matter accumulation in o2 kernels relative to normal kernels when grown under high N levels may result from the accumulation of free amino acids and their catabolic products in the kernel as a consequence of a small N sink. These osmotica contributed to a more negative osmotic potential which may favour water movement, but reduce solute movement into the kernel. Increased zein accumulation in normal kernels enhanced kernel weight and grain yield but reduced protein nutritional quality. The concentration of lysine and tryptophan as a percentage of protein decreased as the level of N fertiliser and kernel protein in the normal kernel increased. On the other hand, the o2 mutant failed to deposit additional N as zein; therefore, the concentration of these two essential amino acids remained constant regardless of N levels. However, when lysine and tryptophan were expressed on an area (kg ha−1) basis, the amino acid yields of these two genotypes were comparable.