Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization Influences Aromatic Flavor Components in Shrunken2 Sweet Corn Kernels

Abstract

<jats:p>Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) has been identified as the compound responsible for the characteristic aroma of cooked sweet corn <jats:italic>(Zea mays</jats:italic> L.) and, along with sugar and water-soluble polysaccharides, is one of the main flavor components in the kernels. Because of the close relationship between DMS and its amino acid precursor S-methylmethionine, the premise was formulated that it might be possible to improve sweet corn aroma and overall eating quality through enhanced production of DMS from increased application of N and S to the crop in the field. Studies were conducted on a Plainfield sand and a Flanagan silt loam to evaluate the effects of N and S fertilization on kernel DMS production in several commercial <jats:italic>sh2</jats:italic> hybrids; in the process, the effect of N and S fertilization on various yield and yield component parameters was also determined. Hybrid was the main factor affecting kernel DMS production, although in both soils kernel DMS levels were influenced by significant interactions between hybrid and fertilizer treatments. Kernel DMS content, in response to increasing N fertilization rates, increased by an average of 85% in three of six hybrids in the Plainfield sand and by 60% in two of three hybrids in the Flanagan silt loam. The effect of S fertilization on kernel DMS production was small, with only one hybrid on the sandy soil showing a positive response (38%) to S application, and then in combination with high N rates. Irrespective of N-S fertilization regime, kernel DMS concentrations decreased at both locations by an average of ≈8.5% per day as kernel maturity increased. The results showed that kernel DMS production may be enhanced by N nutrition, independent of N fertilization effects on ear and kernel yields.</jats:p>

Influence of Cultivars, Plant Spacings, and Mineral NPK Fertilizers Application on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Its Components and Kernels Quality of Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. rugusa, L.)

“…Since, the increments of the mineral NPK fertilizers levels were associated with corresponding increases in all studied yield and its components characters. Such results were in general agreement with the findings of many researchers such as Yodpetch and Bautista (1984) for ear weight; Wong et al (1995) for ear weight, ear length, and kernels yield; and Oikeh et al (1997). These investigators reported that increasing the mineral fertilizers levels reflected significant increases on yield and its components.…”

“…Such results indicated generally that the used two sweet corn cultivars reflected high responses to the fertilization by using mineral NPK fertilizes. These results seemed to agree with the findings of Wong et al (1995) for ear weight, kernels yield, ear length of sweet corn; and Oikeh et al (1997) for grain yield and kernels yield of maize.…”

“…Concerning, the effects of mineral fertilizers; i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; individually or in combination, with either one or more of each on the sweet corn and/ or maize were reported by several investigators such as Yodpech and Bautista (1984) for ear yield; Peck and MacDonald (1989) for fresh weight of ear; Wong et al (1995) for ear weight and kernels yield; Hemplill et al (1996) for ear weight, ear length dry weight, and yield; Michalojc et al (1996-a) and Nihayati and Damhury (1996) for yield;Miftahulla et al (2002) for plant height and grain yield and Amin (2006) for plant growth and grain yield. They illustrated generally that increasing in the used mineral fertilizers in their studied characters resulted in increasing effects on all the previously mentioned characters of either sweet corn or maize plants.…”

Ammonium nitrate fertility levels influence flavour development in hydroponically grown ‘Granex 33’ onion

“…15 Increases in N fertility have been reported to influence sweet corn flavour by increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulphide. 16 In onion, N-form was reported to influence overall flavour intensity. 17 Alternatively, Randle 15 showed that high N levels changed the ratios of the flavour precursors such that MCSO accumulated at elevated levels that did not represent flavour quality from a typical fieldgrown onion.…”

RELATIONSHIP OF NITROGEN‐SULFUR FERTILIZATION AND HYBRID TO SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF shrunken2 SWEET CORN KERNELS

“…Several studies, including recent work from this laboratory, have reported significant differences in kernel DMS levels among sweet corn hybrids (Dignan and Wiley 1976;Wong et al 1994). It was also recently reported that the concentration of kernel DMS could be increased by the application of nitrogen (N) and sulfur ( S ) fertilizer to the crop in the field (Wong et al 1993).…”