Measurement of Kernel Natural Dehydration Rate in Maize Single-cross Hybrids and Its Application

Abstract

In order to breed new maize varieties with high dehydration rate, 36 maize single-cross hybrids were used in this study to measure kernel moisture content at physiological maturity and harvest stage. And then kernel natural dehydration rate after physiological maturity was calculated. The results were as follows: The initial identification time of single-cross hybrids was 40 days after pollination. At physiological maturity and harvest stage, the variation of kernel moisture content for single-cross hybrids was 23.38%-37.07% and 15.37%-34.34%, respectively. The kernel natural dehydration rate between single-cross hybrids existed significant difference, and the dehydration rate of single-cross hybrids varied from 0.11% to 0.89%/d. Varieties with different types might have similar dehydration process and the same type of varieties might have different dehydration process. The results would provide an important reference for breeding maize single-cross hybrids with high dehydration rate.