Kernel Oil Content Research Articles

Some studies on the chemical composition of cucurbit kernels and their seedcoats

Chemical composition of the kernels and seedcoats of 8 cucurbit species, viz watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, pumpkin, spongegourd, bottlegourd, bittergourd and snakegourd have been studied. The proportion of kernels in these seeds ranged from 48.0 to 75.5%. Oil content in kernels varied from 41.0 to 56.5%, protein 28.07 to 34.34%, crude fibre 1.25 to 2.60% and mineral matter 3.01 to 5.01%. Kernels were quite rich in calcium, iron and phosphorus. The cucurbit species compared well with some of the conventional kernels such as cashewnut and almond in their chemical make-up. Although quite low in fat and protein, the seedcoats of these cucurbit species were quite rich in crude fibre and mineral matter and could be of use as animal feed.

Light Intensity and Fruiting Effects on Carbohydrate Contents, Spur Development, and Return Bloom of ‘Hartley’ Walnut1

Abstract Leaf number, area and chlorophyll content, and specific leaf weight were greater in light-exposed spurs of ‘Hartley’ walnut (Juglans regia L.) than those grown in the shade. Starch content increased early in the season in shaded spurs, but the accumulation ceased while the nuts stored dry matter. In exposed spurs, starch increased steadily until harvest. After harvest, starch level decreased in exposed and shaded spurs. Light intensity did not affect percentage composition of spurs and fruit with respect to carbohydrates or oil content in kernels. Increased exposure to light resulted in higher percentage of return bloom, greater spur growth, and more pistillate flowers per spur the following season.

Response of irrigated groundnuts (Avachis hypogaea L.) to urea fertilization in the central rainlands of the Sudan

The response of 3 varieties of groundnuts, i.e.: Ashford (A), Barberton (B), and Corinte (C), to different doses of urea nitrogen under irrigation was studied for three years. As a result of extensive tissue analysis, the critical needs of Barberton and Corinte for nitrogen were found to be 1500 ppm NO3-N and 3.7% total-N. Variety Ashford, which outyielded both, did not respond to urea nitrogen. A linear correlation coefficient of r = 0.85 for pod and straw yields gave a pod to straw ratio of 0.72. Kernel protein and oil content were not affected by nitrogen. Larger nodule counts and their total-N indicated better yields.

Weight, Oil, and Fatty Acid Composition of Components of Normal, Opaque‐2 and Floury‐2 Maize Kernels1

Normal and opaque‐2 kernels from segregating maize (Zea mays L.) ears were examined for kernel components, oil content, and fatty acid composition. Normal kernels were higher in kernel and endosperm weight and embryo oil concentration, and lower in embryo weight than opaque‐2 kernels. Compared to normal, the oil from opaque‐2 kernels was slightly but significantly higher in oleic acid and lower in linoleic acid composition. Comparison of normal and floury‐2 kernels from segregating ears showed kernel and endosperm weights of the normal kernels were greater than for floury‐2, and embryo weight was similar. In a comparison of near‐isogenic floury‐2 and normal single‐cross hybrids, the kernel components were heavier in normal, while percent oil was greater for floury‐2 owing largely to a greater proportion of embryo. Percent oil in embryo was less in floury‐2 hybrids.

Effect of foliar fungicides on aflatoxin, oil and protein content and maturing rate of peanut kernels.

AbstractArachis hypogaea L. ‘Tifspan’ and ‘Florunner’ peanuts (groundnuts) were treated with selected foliar fungicides for control of Cercospora leafspot. Peanut fruits were harvested on three different dates and analysed for aflatoxin, oil and protein content and degree of maturity. No significant differences (P = <0.05) in aflatoxin incidence were associated with either fungicide treatments or harvest dates. Significant differences were observed, however, in the percentage protein and oil content of the peanut kernels, depending upon the fungicide treatment. Delayed maturity was caused by specific fungicide treatments.

Heritability of Oil Content in Oats, Avena sativa L.1

Fifty‐six random F4 lines from each of 13 crosses among high‐, medium‐, and low oil cultivars of oats (Arena sativa L.) were evaluated for oil content by nuclear magnetic resonance. Whole kernel oil content of the F4 lines ranged from 2.5 to 8.6%. Heritability of oil content was high in all crosses but one, a cross between sister cultivars. The greatest genetic variability was observed in crosses between high and low parents, but F4 lines derived from crosses between high‐oil parents had the highest oil content. Oil content was not significantly correlated with kernel weight, kernel density, or percent hull.

Kernel morphometric characteristics and oil content among Shea tree genotypes in Uganda

Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica) is an important commercial tree for domestic oil and industrial products of cosmetics, chocolate and other confectionaries traded grown worldwide. We studied seed morphometric characteristics and crude oil content of Shea nuts in Uganda. Five populations, comprising of 16 ethnovarieties, were selected from Eastern, Northern and West Nile Sub-regions of Uganda, based on their attributes as judged by the farmers. Fresh kernel weight ranged from 2 to 18.85 mg per seed. Kernel weight increased with Shea fruit weight (y = 0.1499x + 6.1887, R² = 0.306). Moyo district had the highest oil content (54.37 ± 0.32%); while Amuru district had the lowest oil content (50.5 ± 1.32%). Oil content decreased with increasing kernel size (y = -0.4541x + 57.303, R² = 0.2116) and dry matter content (y = 0.635x - 9.863, R²= 0.011); and varied between ethnovarieties and Shea tree populations, p = 0.003 and P< 0.001, respectively. Tinny seeded (45.7 - 65.49%), Round fruited (45.41 - 65.91%), Dwarf tree (45.19 - 64.19%), Elliptical fruited (45.32 - 64.19%) and Soft pulped (42.16 - 69.77%) ethnovarieties had the highest oil content. Narrow sense heritability (h2) for oil yield was 1.72; while response to selection (R) was 16.48 with genetic gain (Gs) of 2.21%, given 10% top selection intensity.

Adiabatic fast passage with non-adiabatic modulation in nuclear magnetic resonance

It is shown that a magnetic field modulation with a frequency ωm comparable to|γ| H1 substantially alters the adiabatic fast passage signal in liquids. A forced precession with the frequency ωm occurs in the rotating frame. The first harmonic of the absorption component v is out-of-phase with respect to the modulation, and its amplitude equals the equilibrium magnetization M0. This type of signal was successfully used by the author to determine the oil content in single kernels of cereals.

Relationship of Kernel Oil Content to Yield in Maize1

Oil content of the grain of six maize (Zea mays L.) single crosses was modified by xenia‐like effects induced by pollen from high and low oil stocks. Oil analyses were made and the calorie grain production on an individual plant basis determinedIn comparisons of high and low oil versions of eight hybrids, one high oil hybrid stored significantly more calories than the low oil version, one stored significantly fewer calories, and six did not differ significantly. We conclude that oil content and calorie yield per plant are probably independent in most stocks but that calorie yield may be limited in some stocks by inefficient oil synthesizing systems. Conversely, high oil strains may be limited in total calorie storage by hyper‐active oil synthesis

Development of High‐Amylose Corn (Zea mays L.) by the Backcross Method1

Alternate backcrossing and selling has been employed to convert 5 corn belt inbreds to high‐amylose inbreds, with selection in each generation for maximum amylose content. Genetically, the ultimate amylose content is determined by the ae gene in combination with a modifier complex. After three generations of backcrossing, all possible single crosses were made among the inbred lines from each backcross generation and among the recurrent parents. These single crosses were grown under three environments to determine the rate of convergence to the recurrent parent. Significant deviations from expected indicated that selection for maximum amylose content slowed the theoretical rate of convergence to the recurrent parent for such traits as whole kernel oil and protein content, test weight, shelling percentage, ear height, and grain yield. During successive generations of backcrossing the amylose level was maintained, indicating that selection for modifier genes was effective. Selection for positive modifiers in each backcross generation may have carried along linked genes, inhibiting the convergence to the recurrent parent for some traits. These results indicate that when sdection pressure is applied for maximum amylose content, more than the expected number of backcrosses will be necessary to convert corn belt inbreds to equally desirable high‐amylose inbreds.

Variation in Oil Content and Its Relation to Other Characters in Oats (Avena sativa L.)1

Wide‐line nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to determine the oil content from groats of 129 spring and 40 winter oat strains. Groats from spring oats varied from 3.8 to 8.5% with a mean of 5.6% oil, while the winter oats varied from 6.8 to 9.8% with a mean of 8.2%. Protein content of the spring oats varied from 15.2 to 20.8% with a mean of 18.4%, while winter oats varied from 16.8 to 20.6% with a mean of 17.1%.Significant negative correlations were observed between oil content and protein content in spring and winter oats. Yields were not recorded for winter oats but there was a significant negative correlation between yield and protein content of the spring oats. There also appeared to be a slight negative association between kernel weight and oil content, especially in the winter oats.

Relation of Kernel Oil Content to Some Agronomic Traits in Maize

Relation of Kernel Oil Content to Some Agronomic Traits in Maize

Heritability of Variations in Oil Content of Individual Corn Kernels

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine oil content of individual corn kernels in order to evaluate this technique as an aid in the development of strains having greater oil content. This method is rapid and does not impair viability. Individual kernels from a selfed single-cross ear ranged from 2.7 to 5.4 percent oil and were significantly correlated (r = +0.75) with the oil content of their progeny ears. This indicates that the single-kernel differences in oil content were heritable, and this method may greatly increase selection efficiency in breeding for higher oil content in corn.

Genetic instability and outcrossing in the groundnut variety Mani Pintar.

IN the course of groundnut variety selection work carried on in Northern Rhodesia since 1954, a number of unusual groundnut varieties have been obtained from various sources. The most unusual and interesting of these has been the variety Mani Pintar, obtained from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock, Australia, in the early part of 1955. This variety has yielded consistently well in trials and appears to be well adapted to local conditions. It suffers, however, from the serious disadvantage of having a variegated red and white testa; in all other respects the variety is eminently satisfactory. Mani Pintar is an alternately branched spreading bunch variety which matures locally in 140–150 days, it has dark green foliage and is fairly resistant to the Cercospora leafspots, the seeds remain dormant for some time after maturity, the kernel oil content is fairly high (about 50 per cent) and is higher than most locally grown varieties; in addition, the yields of kernels and hay are consistently good. The combination of bunch habit and variegated red and white testa found in this variety is rather unusual. In Arachis nambiquarae Hoehne, a form with a similarly variegated testa, the habit is prostrate.

THE EFFECT OF MCPA AND 2:4‐D HERBICIDES ON THE QUALITY OF SPRING OATS FOR MILLING AND PROVENDER FEEDING

MCPA applied to oats at the 1‐ to 2‐leaf stage had slight effects on grain quality, whereas 2:4‐D at this stage generally increased kernel weight, husk ash content, and content of abnormal grains, and decreased the grain yield. Applied at the 4‐ to 5‐leaf stage, 2:4‐D also increased kernel nitrogen content and decreased kernel oil content. Effects were enhanced as the dosage increased. Yielder and Craigs Afterlea were most susceptible to 2:4‐D at the 4‐ to 5‐leaf stage; Sun II, a relatively resistant variety, at the 6‐ to 7‐leaf stage.

The analysis of tung fruit

Methods applicable to the routine analysis of tung fruits were developed by taking into account such factors as variation in moisture content of individual fruit, high oil content of the tung kernels and the high reactivity of the extracted oil. It was found that in a closed container the moisture distributes itself evenly between individual fruits, that the oil can be extracted completely from tung kernels if they are reground with sand, and that the moisture can be removed from ground tung kernels and the solvent completely removed from the extracted tung oil without deterioration in a vacuum oven at 100° C. with 28–29 inches vacuum.

FLAX STUDIES: IV. THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLAXSEED AT PROGRESSIVE STAGES OF MATURITY

Flaxseed from plots seeded at Ottawa and Saskatoon over a period of several weeks and harvested at maturity showed no difference in oil content with dates of seeding, but the iodine values tended to increase with late seeding. Experiments conducted with Bison and Redwing grown in 1936 at Brandon, Saskatoon Edmonton, and Fallis, and with Redwing in 1937 at Brandon, Edmonton, and Fallis, in which the seed was harvested at successive stages of maturity, showed that moisture decreased and dry kernel weight and oil content increased with progressive maturity up to approximately thirty days after flowering. Rate of oil deposition was in some cases extremely rapid, from 80% to 90% of the maximum oil found being deposited by the fifteenth to eighteenth day. Oil content and dry kernel weight reach a maximum several days before visual maturity. Unsaturation proceeds somewhat more slowly and reaches a higher value under climatic conditions favouring slow maturity.