Kernel Quality Traits Research Articles

Review of agronomic and kernel quality traits of 273 almond cultivars

AbstractAlmond stands out as one of the best-adapted temperate tree species globally. Its adaptability facilitated a widespread distribution from Central Asia to regions such as the Mediterranean, the United States, and Australia, enabling the adaptation of different genotypes to specific edaphoclimatic conditions. Throughout this spreading process, diverse almond landraces were selected in each growing area, resulting in a collection with varying agronomic and kernel quality properties well adapted to each origin. In addition to these native cultivars, various almond breeding programs, both public and private, released new cultivars to address key issues related to the production and kernel quality of traditional cultivars. This collective effort has resulted in a wide range of cultivars with diverse phenotypic characteristics, available for cultivation and breeding purposes. In this review, we summarize the main agronomic and kernel quality characteristics of globally available cultivated almond germplasm. This germplasm comprises genotypes from Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe, either locally cultivated or released from breeding programs. For each cultivar, we provide information (if known) on the origin, parentage, year of introduction, self-(in)compatibility, S alleles, blooming time, chilling, and heat requirements, bearing habits, kernel and shell characteristics, harvesting time, tree characteristic, and disease susceptibility/resistance. In conclusion, the global diversity of cultivated almond germplasm presented in this review provides a valuable repository of phenotypic traits and genetic resources to continue advancements in almond cultivation and breeding worldwide.

IMPACT OF WATER STRESS CONDITIONS ON ASSOCIATION OF AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIO-CHEMICAL AND KERNEL QUALITY-RELATED TRAITS IN MAIZE HYBRIDS

Changing climatic conditions, especially high temperatures and droughts are one of the major factors hindering sustainable maize production in major maize-growing areas of the world. The current study was designed to determine the association between different morphological, physiological, biochemical, and kernel quality-related traits in maize hybrids under water-deficient conditions. The experiment material was comprised of seven indigenously developed maize hybrids from Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala-Sahiwal (YH-5482, YH-5427, YH-5404, YH-1899, FH-949, YH-5577, and YH-5395), one maize hybrid developed by local seed company i.e., Kissan Seed Corporation (SB-9663) and two maize hybrids developed by multinational seed companies i.e., Corteva Seeds Pvt Ltd. (P-1543) and Syngenta Seed Pvt Ltd. (NK-8441). The experiment was executed under a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results revealed that highly significant genetic variations were present among maize hybrids for morphological, physiological, biochemical, and kernel quality traits under water-deficient conditions except for ear length for which variations were found to be non-significant. Moreover, correlation coefficient analysis depicts a strong positive correlation of kernel yield with days to 50% silking, days to 50% tasseling, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, total chlorophyll contents, 1000-kernel weight, ear length, and plant height. However, kernel yield was found to be negatively correlated with hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, and proline contents. Similarly, path coefficient analysis showed that days to 50% silking had the highest direct positive effect on kernel yield followed by 1000-grain weight, starch contents percentage, and ear height. Therefore, parental material selection must be done using these yield-associated trades under water-deficient conditions.

Identification of oil content QTL on Arahy12 and Arahy16 and development of KASP markers in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut kernels rich in oil, particularly those with oleic acid as their primary fatty acid, are sought after by consumers, the food industry, and farmers due to their superior nutritional content, extended shelf life, and health benefits. The oil content and fatty acid composition are governed by multiple genetic factors. Identifying the quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to these attributes would facilitate marker-assisted selection or genomic selection, thus enhancing the quality-focused peanut breeding program. For this purpose, we developed a population of 521 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) and tested their kernel quality traits across five different environments. We identified two major and stable QTLs for oil content (qOCAh12.1 and qOCAh16.1). The markers linked to these QTLs were designed by competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) and were subsequently validated. Moreover, we found that the superior haplotype of oil content in the qOCAh16.1 region was conserved within the PI germplasm cluster, as evidenced by a diverse peanut accession panel. In addition, we determined that qAh09 and qAh19.1, which harbor the key gene encoding fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2), influence all seven fatty acids, including palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidic, gadoleic, and behenic acids. As for protein content and the long-chain saturated fatty acid behenic acid, qAh07 emerged as the major and stable QTLs, accounting for over 10% of the phenotypic variation explained (PVE). These findings would enhance marker-assisted selection in peanut breeding, aiming to improve oil content, and deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms that shape fatty acid composition.

Development of maize inbred lines with elevated grain methionine concentration from a high methionine population

AbstractMethionine is a nutritionally limiting amino acid in poultry diets based on maize (Zea mays L.) grain. Synthetic dietary supplements are available but are costly and not preferred by organic poultry producers. The development of high methionine maize varieties would reduce the need for supplementation. Several approaches have been reported for achieving this goal. Here, we report a novel approach that can produce diverse inbred lines with higher content of methionine than other methods. Inbred lines were developed using doubled haploid technology from a broad‐based synthetic population that has undergone mass selection for grain methionine concentration. Out of 18 randomly selected inbred lines, one was significantly higher in methionine concentration than the high methionine check and 11 were not significantly different from it. The inbred lines developed in this way also exhibited useful genetic diversity for several agronomic and kernel quality traits, including flowering date, and orangeness of the kernel. This approach is an excellent complement to other breeding methods for development of varieties for production of poultry feed. Because the approach does not rely on transgenic technology, the resulting lines are suitable for use by organic producers and are well suited to organic production systems.

Responses of maize hybrids to water stress conditions at different developmental stages: accumulation of reactive oxygen species, activity of enzymatic antioxidants and degradation in kernel quality traits.

Sustainable maize production under changing climatic conditions, especially heat and water stress conditions is one of the key challenges that need to be addressed immediately. The current field study was designed to evaluate the impact of water stress on morpho-physiological, biochemical, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant activity and kernel quality traits at different plant growth stages in maize hybrids. Four indigenous i.e., YH-5427, YH-5482, YH-5395, JPL-1908, and one multinational maize hybrid i.e., NK-8441 (Syngenta Seeds) were used for the study. Four stress treatments (i) Control (ii) 3-week water stress at pre-flowering stage (iii) 3-week water stress at anthesis stage (iv) 3-week water stress at grain filling/post-anthesis stage. The presence of significant oxidative stress was revealed by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROXs) i.e., H2O2 (1.9 to 5.8 µmole g-1 FW) and malondialdehyde (120.5 to 169.0 nmole g-1 FW) leading to severe negative impacts on kernel yield. Moreover, a severe reduction in photosynthetic ability (50.6%, from 34.0 to 16.8 µmole m-2 s-1), lower transpirational rate (31.3%, from 3.2 to 2.2 mmol m-2 s-1), alterations in plant anatomy, reduced pigments stability, and deterioration of kernel quality was attributed to water stress. Water stress affected all the three studied growth stages, the pre-flowering stage being the most vulnerable while the post-anthesis stage was the least affected stage to drought stress. Antioxidant activity was observed to increase under all stress conditions in all maize hybrids, however, the highest antioxidant activity was recorded at the anthesis stage and in maize hybrids YH-5427 i.e., T-SOD activity was increased by 61.3% from 37.5 U mg-1 pro to 60.5 U mg-1 pro while CAT activity was maximum under water stress conditions 8.3 U mg-1 pro as compared to 10.3 U mg-1 pro under control (19.3%). The overall performance of maize hybrid YH-5427 was much more promising than other hybrids, attributed to its higher photosynthetic activity, and better antioxidant defense mechanism. Therefore, this hybrid could be recommended for cultivation in drought-prone areas.

Concurrent Effects of Drought and Heat Stresses on Physio-Chemical Attributes, Antioxidant Status and Kernel Quality Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids.

Maize is one of the most important field crops considering its utilization as food, feed, fodder, and biofuel. However, the sustainability of its production is under serious threat of heat and drought stresses, as these stresses could hamper crop growth, causing a significant loss to kernel yield. The research study was carried out at Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala-Sahiwal for two consecutive spring seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21) under a split-split plot design. The current study explained the individual and combined effects of drought and heat stresses on morphology, phenology, physiology, reactive oxygen species (stocktickerROS), antioxidant status, and kernel quality traits in four indigenous (YH-5482, YH-5427, YH-5404, and YH-1898) and one multinational maize hybrid (P-1543). Stress treatments, i.e., drought, heat, and drought+heat, were applied ten days before tasseling and lasted for 21 days. The results revealed the incidence of oxidative stress due to overproduction of Hydrogen peroxide; H2O2 (control: 1.9, heat+drought: 5.8), and Malondialdehyde; stocktickerMDA (control: 116.5, heat+drought: 193), leading to reduced photosynthetic ability (control: 31.8, heat:16.5), alterations in plant morphology, decrease in kernel yield (control: 10865 kg ha–1, heat+drought: 5564 kg ha–1), and quality-related traits. Although all the stress treatments induced the accumulation of stress-responsive osmolytes and enzymatic antioxidants to cope with the negative impact of osmotic stress, the effect of combined drought + heat stress was much higher. The overall performance of indigenous maize hybrid YH-5427 was much more promising than the other hybrids, attributed to its better tolerance of drought and heat stresses. Such stress tolerance was attributed to maintaining photosynthetic activity, a potent antioxidant and osmolyte-based defense mechanisms, and minimum reductions in yield-related traits, which assured the maximum kernel yield under all stress treatments.

Comparative Study on Kernel Quality and Chemical Composition of Ancient and Modern Wheat Species: Einkorn, Emmer, Spelt and Hard Red Spring Wheat.

Hulled wheat species are often used as whole grains in processing, and have been attracting attention in the last 20 years in the food industry. Whole wheat flour of hulled wheat can be used in the food industry for value addition. This study was conducted to evaluate the kernel quality and chemical composition of the whole grain flour of hulled wheats as a preliminary approach to use these species for value addition. The experimental design was separate, randomized complete block designs for einkorn, emmer, and spelt, with four field replicates. According to the results, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in kernel quality traits, such as test weight, 1000 kernel weight, and kernel hardness, compared to hard red spring wheat. The results of the chemical composition revealed that hulled wheats were characterized by significantly lower (p < 0.05) protein and higher (p < 0.05) crude fat contents compared to whole wheat flour of hard red spring wheat. Among hulled wheats, total dietary fiber content was highest in emmer, followed by einkorn and spelt. In conclusion, the whole wheat flour of einkorn, emmer, and spelt used in this study differ from hard red spring wheat in their kernel quality and chemical composition.

Screening Turkish maize landraces for kernel oil content and oil quality traits

AbstractIn this study, maize landraces, previously collected from different regions of Turkey through a national maize breeding project, were screened for kernel oil content and oil quality. After a seed reproduction in 2017, the screening trial was conducted in 2018, using an Augmented Experimental Design with 192 local maize populations along with seven check hybrids. Data were collected on oil, oleic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, total carotenoid and total tocopherol contents. The results showed that there was a considerable amount of genetic variation among the Turkish maize landraces for almost all the traits investigated in this study. Some of the evaluated landraces are available that could be considered as high oil variety or special genotypes in terms of certain oil quality traits. Landraces had significantly higher values than checks for oil content, oleic acid, MUFA and tocopherol contents. Genetic analyses suggest that the kernel quality traits could be successfully manipulated using the investigated plant material. Heritability values were found high for all the traits of interest, except for saturated fatty acid and total carotenoid content. The promising landraces detected in this study could be exploited in future breeding programmes upon further evaluations at the population level.

Gene action and heterosis for yield and kernel quality traits in experimental hybrids in sweet corn relevant for Indian conditions

Gene action and heterosis for yield and kernel quality traits in experimental hybrids in sweet corn relevant for Indian conditions

Stability Analysis of Kernel Quality Traits in Exotic-Derived Doubled Haploid Maize Lines.

Variation in kernel composition across maize ( L.) germplasm is affected by a combination of the plant's genotype, the environment in which it is grown, and the interaction between these two elements. Adapting exotic germplasm to the US Corn Belt is highly dependent on the plant's genotype, the environment where it is grown, and the interaction between these components. Phenotypic plasticity is ill-defined when specific exotic germplasm is moved over large latitudinal distances and for the adapted variants being created. Reduced plasticity (or stability) is desired for the adapted variants, as it allows for a more rapid implementation into breeding programs throughout the Corn Belt. Here, doubled haploid lines derived from exotic maize and adapted through backcrossing exotic germplasm to elite adapted lines were used in conjunction with genome-wide association studies to explore stability in four kernel composition traits. Genotypes demonstrated a response to environments that paralleled the mean response of all genotypes used across all traits, with protein content and kernel density exhibiting the highest levels of Type II stability. Genes such as , , and were identified as potential candidates within quantitative trait locus regions. The findings within this study aid in validating previously identified genomic regions and identified novel genomic regions affecting kernel quality traits.

Yield and kernel nutritional quality in normal maize and quality protein maize cultivars exposed to ozone.

Tropospheric ozone (O3 ) is phytotoxic and therefore impacts global food security. In the present study yield responses and kernel quality traits of two maize cultivars [DHM117: normal maize (NM)] and [HQPM1: quality protein maize (QPM)] are investigated. Cultivars were exposed to two doses of elevated O3 , namely NFC+15 and NFC+30 ppb O3 above ambient level (NFC, non-filtered chambers) while filtered chambers served as control. Test weight (thousand kernel weight), weight of kernels per square meter and kernel starch content reduced more in NM than QPM due to elevated O3 exposure. Total soluble and reducing sugars increased in both the cultivars being more in NM. Though, endosperm protein showed comparatively more increase in QPM than NM, decline in essential amino acids tryptophan and lysine was higher in QPM. Majority of nutrient elements increased after O3 treatment, while reductions in oil content as well as saturated fatty acids were observed in both test cultivars. Of the two essential fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acid reduced while omega 6 fatty acid contents increased in QPM. Oil became more unsaturated (increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids) upon O3 exposure, thus increasing its reactivity and hence became more prone to auto-oxidation. Elevated O3 caused losses in yield of maize cultivars and NM showed higher sensitivity than QPM. Kernel quality analysis revealed significant changes in nutritional parameters. Carbohydrate content reduced more in NM, while essential amino acids and saturated fatty acids showed more decline in QPM. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Genetic studies of agronomic and kernel quality traits in white maize (&lt;i&gt;Zea mays&lt;/i&gt; L.) inbred lines

Field experiments were conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute, Bagauda (11°33´N; 8°23´E) in the Sudan Savannah and Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru (11011´N; 07038’E) in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zones of Nigeria. The experiments were conducted between July-October, 2014 rainy season to estimates mean squares for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability( SCA) and interaction between general combining ability and location (GCA x location) and specific combining ability and location Interactions ( SCA x location) for agronomic traits and kernel quality traits. The study comprised of 15 hybrid lines, 6 parental lines along with 4 checks which were laid out in partially balanced lattice design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant (P≤ 0.01) GCA for days to maturity (27.74), ear length (8.85cm) , ear diameter (22.25cm), plant height (1501.60cm), field weight (1.70kg), moisture content at harvest (16.48%) and yield (10947553.16 kgha-1) indicating the additive gene action contributing the expression of these traits. The mean squares due to SCA were highly significant (P≤ 0.01) for days to maturity (7.49), ear length (10.06cm), ear diameter (26.96cm) and moisture content at harvest (6.78%) indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action in the expression of these traits. The mean squares for GCA× location and SCA× location were not significant for all traits except percent whole kernel which shows highly significant GCA × location interaction (2077.97%) and this indicated that, different parental genotypes behaved differently with respect to this trait under different location.Keywords: Agronomic traits, Genetic, General Combining Ability, Inbred lines, Kernel Quality and Specific Combining Ability

Estimation of variability and genetic parameters for kernel quality traits (protein and oil content) in the seedling raised natural walnut (Juglans regia L.) population in the Kashmir valley

The present investigation on estimation of variability and genetic parameters for kernel quality traits (protein and oil content) in the seedling raised natural walnut ( Juglans regia L.) population in the Kashmir valley was carried out in order to document the available genetic variability in walnut germplasm and to select elite walnut genotypes possessing superior attributes and quality traits. During the survey, data were recorded on one hundred fifty two (152) walnut trees growing in different areas of Kashmir valley. Remarkable variability were observed in seedling walnut trees for different morphological, nut and kernel characters. Similarly, variations were also reported for other characters viz. , tree vigour, growth habit, branching habit, leaflet shape, shoot colour, nut shape, shell texture, shell colour, shell seal, shell strength, shell integrity, kernel shrivel and kernel colour. Studies that the oil content of kernels had a population mean of 62.102 per cent with a range of 50.22-70.00 per cent. Maximum kernel oil content (70%) was found in the walnut selection WS-114 and minimum (50.22%) in the WS-150. Analysis of variance revealed a phenotypic variance of 29.027 as compared to genotypic variance of 8.546 with environmental variance being 20.48. Based on the estimation of components of variance, the phenotypic and genotypic co-efficients of variation were 8.67 and 4.70 per cent, respectively. Heritability (broad sense) was 47.43 per cent and the expected genetic gain as only 5.261 (% of the mean).

Molecular genetic diversity and association mapping of nut and kernel traits in Slovenian hazelnut (Corylus avellana) germplasm

European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), cultivated in several areas of the world including Europe, Anatolia, and the USA, is an economically important nut crop due to its high mineral, oleic acid, amino acid, and phenolic compound content and pleasant flavor. This study examined molecular genetic diversity and population structure of 54 wild accessions and 48 cultivars from the Slovenian national hazelnut collection using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Eleven AFLP primer combinations and 49 SSR markers yielded 532 and 504 polymorphic fragments, respectively. As expected for a wind-pollinated, self-incompatible species, levels of genetic diversity were high with cultivars and wild accessions having mean dissimilarity values of 0.50 and 0.60, respectively. In general, cultivars and wild accessions clustered separately in dendrogram, principal coordinate, and population structure analyses with regional clustering of the wild material. The accessions were also characterized for ten nut and seven kernel traits and some wild accessions were shown to have breeding potential. Morphological principal component analysis showed distinct clustering of cultivars and wild accessions. An association mapping panel composed of 64 hazelnut cultivars and wild accessions had considerable variation for the nut and kernel quality traits. Morphological and molecular data were associated to identify markers controlling the traits. In all, 49 SSR markers were significantly associated with nut and kernel traits [P < 0.0001 and LD value (r 2) = 0.15–0.50]. This work is the first use of association mapping in hazelnut and has identified molecular markers associated with important quality parameters in this important nut crop.

Influence of Drought Applied at Different Growth Stages on Kernel Yield and Quality in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

ABSTRACTDrought severely affects yield and its quality in different plants. In a field experiment, maize was exposed to drought stress at vegetative, silking, and kernel-filling growth stages to determine the drought-induced changes in kernel yield and quality traits. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Withholding water at the vegetative stage was very effective in increasing protein, total amino acids, total soluble sugars, glucose, and sucrose contents in maize kernels. In contrast, drought applied at the kernel-filling stage increased the total free amino acids, total phenolics, and activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in maize kernels. Drought at the vegetative stage improved the kernel quality while at the silking stage severely affected kernel yield in maize. Taken together, the results suggested that incidence of drought should be avoided at the silking stage to minimize kernel yield losses and decrease in kernel quality in maize.

Effects of open- and self-pollination treatments on genetic estimations in maize diallel experiment

This study investigated the effects of open- and self-pollination treatments on genetic estimations and kernel biochemical content in a maize diallel experiment. A 7×7 complete reciprocal diallel set (7 parents and 42 hybrids) was used as plant material. Measured traits were: kernel weight per plant, protein content, oil content and carbohydrate content. General combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), maternal effects (MAT), non-maternal effects (NMAT) and heterosis values were compared in open- and self-pollination treatments for measured traits. Results showed that the pollination treatments had a significant effect on all investigated traits. Parental lines and hybrid combinations gave different responses. Parents had relatively higher protein and oil content in self-pollination but hybrids had lower values in self-pollination compared with open-pollination. A considerable number of genotypes showed significant differences for genetic estimations (GCA, SCA, MAT, NMAT) and heterosis between open- and self-pollination treatments. Overall, findings suggest that evaluation of kernel quality traits should be made on selfed ear samples; however, evaluation for yield should be carried out on open-pollinated samples.

Genome-wide association mapping for kernel and malting quality traits using historical European barley records.

Malting quality is an important trait in breeding barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). It requires elaborate, expensive phenotyping, which involves micro-malting experiments. Although there is abundant historical information available for different cultivars in different years and trials, that historical information is not often used in genetic analyses. This study aimed to exploit historical records to assist in identifying genomic regions that affect malting and kernel quality traits in barley. This genome-wide association study utilized information on grain yield and 18 quality traits accumulated over 25 years on 174 European spring and winter barley cultivars combined with diversity array technology markers. Marker-trait associations were tested with a mixed linear model. This model took into account the genetic relatedness between cultivars based on principal components scores obtained from marker information. We detected 140 marker-trait associations. Some of these associations confirmed previously known quantitative trait loci for malting quality (on chromosomes 1H, 2H, and 5H). Other associations were reported for the first time in this study. The genetic correlations between traits are discussed in relation to the chromosomal regions associated with the different traits. This approach is expected to be particularly useful when designing strategies for multiple trait improvements.

Mapping of QTL traits in corn using a RIL population derived from a cross of dent corn × waxy corn

In this study, 80 F7:8 recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between dent corn and waxy corn, were evaluated for ten grain yield and kernel quality-related traits over a 2-year period. A total of 39 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 74 epistatic interactions were confirmed in 2011 and 2012. All QTLs detected in 2011 showed greater than 10 % phenotypic variation (10.21–50.3 %). In 2012, 19 of 23 QTLs showed phenotypic variation greater than 10 % (6.46–93.71 %). Among all QTLs detected, qAC9 had the highest phenotypic variance (93.71 %). Additionally, qEH4, qSEL6, and q100KW10 were stably expressed. These QTLs had higher phenotypic variance and were observed in both years; therefore, they may be considered major QTLs. Some new QTLs identified in this study were located on different loci compared with other studies. The genetic region (bin 4.08) strongly controls plant height and ear height, and results from pleiotropy and/or tight linkage. qST3 and qEH3 were co-located within two common adjacent simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (umc2275 and umc1273), whereas qEL6 and qSEL6 were co-located within two common adjacent SSR markers (umc2309 and bnlg238). The QTLs related to kernel quality traits, qWC4 (water content) was tightly linked to the gene bt2 (brittle endosperm 2) and qAC9 (amylose content) located between the flanking markers umc1634 and wx1 (waxy1). Thus, these SSR markers are a useful selection tool for screening grain yield and yield component traits.

Genetic Variability and Association Analysis of SomeQuantitative Characters in Sweet Corn

The objective of this study was to determine genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, genotypic and phenotypic correlations of yield, yield components and kernel quality traits in seven sweet corn varieties. The present research was conducted during 2009 and 2010 growing season in Eskisehir, midwestern Turkey. The trials were set up in randomised complete block design with four replications. Analysis of variance observed highly significant differences for all the examined traits in both years. Sugar content, soluble solid concentration and number of leaves per plant revealed the highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation values. The high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance for sugar content, soluble solid concentration and starch content. Positive correlations were revealed between yield (husked, dehusked and fresh kernel) and yield components except plant height and 1000 seed weight. Negative correlations were found between kernel quality and yield and yield related traits. It can be concluded that, husked ear weight and dehusked ear weight could be used as the main criteria for yield improvement. It should be unfeasible to develop sweet corn varieties with satisfactory yield potential and improved kernel quality for the different sweet corn markets.

English

&nbsp; &nbsp; Two year field study was conducted at Adaptive Research Farms Sheikhupura and Sargodha with the objective to investigate the impact of irrigation water and zinc application on kernel quality and morphological traits of scented rice, and genotype Super Basmati was selected for this study. Results indicated that increasing applications of irrigation and zinc has positive influence on kernel quality and morphological characters of super basmati, and from two sites data of two growing seasons it was concluded that 14 irrigations and application of zinc at 14 kg ha-1 seems best to obtain optimum response in fine rice. Correlation coefficient between grain yield and morphological characteristics of aromatic rice was also studied and the data showed that grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with quality attributes at both experimental sites. Key words:&nbsp;Physiochemical properties, economic yield, water treatments, fertilization,Oryza sativa&nbsp;L. &nbsp