Effects of Harvest Timing and Storage Conditions on Ear Quality of Waxy Corn

Abstract

The consumption of waxy corn is steadily increasing in Korea. Waxy corn is harvested before it reaches full maturity and consumed immediately or follwing cold storage. Glutinous and sweet kernels are preferred due to their high palatability. The kernel properties can change rapidly following harvest, and, therefore, optimal conditions to maintain the kernel quality of corn should be identified. In addition, the timing of harvest of waxy corn ear should be also determined for optimal marketable corn production. From 10 days after silking (DAS) to25 DAS. fresh ear weight and single kernel weight rapidly increased from 78.3 g and 1.13 g, respectively, to 224.9 and 3.61 g, respectively. However, by 30 DAS both fresh and single kernel weight decreased by 10.6% and 6.1%, respectively. Kernel hardness significantly increased up to 25 DAS, and a further slight increase in kernel hardness was observed at 30 DAS. Total sugar content in kernel decreased from 12.5% at 10 DAS to 3.5% at 35 DAS, which was the result of the conversion of sugars to starch during ear development. Crude protein content in kernel did not vary significantly in comparison to kernel hardness. During storage of ear, kernel hardness increased from 726 g cm-2 at harvest to 1,894 g cm-2 following 28 days of storage at a low temperature (0°C). Kernel hardness increased 2.5 fold from 15 DAS to 30 DAS. Soluble protein level in kernel increased until 10 DAS, following which a slight decrease was observed. The soluble protein content decreased from 1.85% at 5 DAS to 1.45% at 35 DAS. Total sugar content in kernel decreased regardless of storage temperature; however, the rate of reduction was lower at 0°C than that observed following storage at 4°C and 10°C. The rate of reduction in kernel moisture content was also lower at 0°C than that observed at 4°C and 10°C.