Abstract
Knowledge about the distribution of sugars in vegetative tissues can provide information about levels of carbohydrates in kernels of sweet maize (Zea mays L.). Levels of fructose, glucose, sucrose and their total were determined over time in stalks and ears in the sweet maize cvs. Summer Flavor #72Y, Merit, and Supersweet Jubilee, which have respectively, the su1se1, su1, or sh2 endosperm types. Internode 9 (19), which is generally formed below the first ear, was sampled from the 12-leaf stage to fresh-market maturity (R3). Entire developing ears were sampled when tassels were extended but unfolded (VN) and at silking (R1). Kernel and cob tissues were sampled separately at blister (R2) and R3 stages. Levels of individual sugars, their total, and levels of starch, water soluble polysaccharides (WSP), and total extractable carbohydrates (added values for individual sugars, WSP, and starch) were determined in kernels at R2 and R3. In 19, levels of fructose and glucose decreased, and sucrose increased in all cultivars after Rl. In developing ears levels of fructose, glucose and total sugar increased from VN to Rl in all cultivars. In cobs, total sugars decreased at R3. In kernels, the sh2 endosperm type cultivar had the highest sugar contents. There was more sucrose in kernels at R3 and more total sugar at R2. The sh2 endosperm type cultivar had the lowest WSP and the highest total carbohydrate levels in kernels at R3. Large changes in sugar content occurs in stalks after R1 and factors interrupting sugar metabolism at this stage, or earlier, may affect levels of sugars in kernels.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Courter, J.W., A.M. Rhodes, D.L. Garwood, and P.R. Mosely. 1988. Classification of vegetable corns. HortScience 23:449–450.
Engels, C., B. Buerkert, and H. Marschner. 1994. Nitrogen and sugar concentrations in the xylem exudate of field-grown maize at different growth stages and levels of nitrogen fertilization. Eur. J. Agron. 3:197–204.
Esau, K. 1977. Anatomy of seed plants. 2nd ed., John Wiley, New York.
Fairey, N.A. and T.B. Daynard. 1978. Quantitative distribution of assimilates in component organs of maize during reproductive growth. Can. J. Plant Sci. 58:709–717.
Hildreth, A.C. and G.B. Brown. 1942. Modification of the Lane-Eynon method for sugar determination. J. Assoc. Official Agricult. Chem. 25:775–778.
Koch, K.E. 1996. Carbohydrate-modulated gene expression in plants. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 47:509–540.
Marcelis, L.F.M. 1996. Sink strength as a determinant of dry matter partitioning in the whole plant. J. Expt. Bot. 47(special issue): 1281–1291.
Motes, J. E. and W. Roberts. 1994. Fertilizing commercial vegetables Extension Facts No. F-6000. atOklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
Pozeuta-Romero, J., P. Perata, and T. A kazawa. 1999. Sucrose-starch conversion in heterotrophic tissues in plants. Critical Rev. Plant Sci. 18:489–525.
Ritchie, S. and J.J. Hanway. 1982. How a corn plant develops. Special Report No.48. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Russo, V.M., J. Williamson, K. Roberts, J.R. Wright, J.R. and N. Maness. 1998. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor sugars in pith of internodes of a shrunken 2 (sh2) corn at developmental stages. HortScience 33:980–983.
Sawada, O., J. Ito, and K. Fujita. 1995. Characteristics of photosynthesis and translocation of l3C-labeled photosynthate in husk leaves of sweet corn. Crop Sci. 35:480–485.
Schussler, J.R. and M.E. Westgate. 1991. Maize kernels set at low water potential: II. Sensitivity to reduced assimilates at pollination. Crop Sci. 31:1196–1203.
Setter, T.L. and V.H. Meiler. 1984. Reserve carbohydrate in maize stem. [14C]glucose and [14C] sucrose uptake characteristics. Plant Physiol. 75:617–622.
Sokal, R.R. and F.J. Rohlf. 1973. Introduction to biostatistics., W.H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco.
Stewart, D.W., L.M. Dwyer, C.J. Andrews, and J.-A. Dugas. 1997. Modeling leaf carbohydrate production, storage, and export in Leafy and normal maize (Zea mays L.). Crop Sci. 37:1228–1236.
Treat, C.L. and W.F. Tracy. 1994. Endosperm type effects on biomass production and on stalk and root quality in sweet corn. Crop Sci. 34:396–399.
Vorndran, A.E., P.J. Oefner, H. Scherz, H. and G.K. Bonn. 1992. Indirect UV detection of carbohydrates in capillary zone electrophoresis. Chromatographia 33:163–168.
Wann, E.V., G.B. Brown, and W.A. Hills. 1971. Genetic modification of sweet corn quality. J. amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 96:441–444.
Westgate, M.E. and J.S. Boyer. 1985. Carbohydrate reserves and reproductive development at low leaf water potentials in maize. Crop Sci. 25:762–769.
Xu, J., W.T. Avigne, D.R. McCarthy, and K.E. Koch. 1996. A similar dichotomy of sugar modulation and development expression affects both paths of sucrose metabolism: Evidence from a maize invertase gene family. The Plant Cell. 8:1209–1220.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Russo, V.M., Collins, J.K., Perkins-Veazie, P. et al. Carbohydrate Distribution in Stalks and Ears of Sweet Maize with Different Endosperm Genotypes. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 32, 91–98 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03543285
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03543285