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Abstract. The experiment was conducted on a soil type Pellic Vertisols in the experimental field of the Institute of Field Crops – Chirpan in the period 2019 - 2022. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of various predecessors on the grain quality of durum wheat grown under the conditions of organic farming in the region of Chirpan. Some indicators related to the quality of durum wheat grain were studied - protein content, wet gluten content, vitreousness, test weight, yellow pigments content. The influence of various predecessors on the investigated parameters related to grain quality was established. The experiment was conducted with the cultivar Progress. Averaged over the studied period under the specific agro-ecological conditions, the highest grain protein content was found for durum wheat after the predecessor peas (11.7% d.b.) and after the predecessor sunflower (11.6% d.b.), while after the predecessor cotton a lower value (11.2% d.b.) was found for this indicator. The wet gluten content after pea and sunflower predecessors (21.6% d.b.) was higher compared to the wet gluten content after cotton predecessor (19.9% d.b.). On average over the study period, the highest content of yellow pigments was found for durum wheat after predecessor cotton (19.17 Minolta b*), followed by that after sunflower (18.81 Minolta b*) and with the lowest content of yellow pigments was the variant after peas (18.54 Minolta b*).

The range of methods for assessing the quality of grain and its technological properties in cereal crops, of oat in particular, is extremely limited. The available methods are labor-intensive and not always sufficiently informative. The variety of modern processing methods dictates the necessity in searching for more universal and informative assessment methods. Cereal crop breeding also requires high-speed and low-cost methods for assessing grain quality. The present work is a methodological study that uses a limited set oat accessions from the genetic collection of VIR, differing by geographical origin and contrasting technological properties, with an aim of developing a new grain quality assessment method and testing new methods for analyzing technological properties. The resulting criteria are compared with each other and with more traditional indicators. New systems for assessing the technological properties of grain of naked and covered oat have been proposed. A new method of sedimentation analysis for cereal crops is proposed. The diversity of the oat protein complex is exemplified in the results of sedimentation analysis, and of the carbohydrate complex – in the results of its testing by a micro-visco-amylograph. The variety of interactions between oat grain storage substances and wheat material during joint processing is shown by assessing the rheological properties of the dough mixture using a farinograph. The obtained results can be recommended for the assessment for breeding purposes, as well as for obtaining complete information about the quality of oat grain for the purpose of its further processing.

The food industry is very interested in high-yield ingredients to enrich and develop new products that have an affordable value for the population. This work aimed to determine the correlations and contrasts between grain physical and agronomic traits of conventional and transgenic corn hybrids cultivated in the first crop season. The experiments were installed in the 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 crop seasons in Guarapuava - PR. The experimental design was a randomized block design with eight hybrids (SUPREMO VIP, SUPREMO, P30F53VYH, P30F53, P3456H, P3456, DKB290PRO3, and DKB290) and three replications. The agronomic traits, such as the percentage of rot grains, 1000-grain mass, and grain yield, also the physical traits of grains for industrial purposes, such as grits, germ, vitreousness, flotation, and hectoliter weight, were evaluated. There is a positive correlation between grits and flotation. The choice of hybrids for the food industry based on vitreousness positively favors flotation. The grits showed a positive correlation with hectoliter weight and a negative correlation with the incidence of rot grains. Vitreousness was influenced by the choice of conventional or transgenic hybrid and crop season. The environments of the crop seasons influence the grain yield, 1000-grain mass, and rot grain incidence of conventional and transgenic corn hybrids.

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The vitreousness of durum samples is regarded by the worldwide wheat industry as an important quality factor for durum shipments. One issue with grading durum occurs on occasional years of unfavorable harvest conditions which result in the kernel outer bran becoming cloudy. Imaging scanners can use either reflective or transmitted lighting. All scanned images of our durum samples were collected using transmissive lighting. Although, "vitreousness" is the usual term applied to durum samples, for this study, "chalkiness" or the inverse property was featured. Both typical and bleached durum kernels were imaged and analyzed. Bleaching seeds has aided grain inspector to visually evaluate the kernels. With computer imaging analysis of bleached kernels, the magnitude of %chalk was significantly attenuated with bleaching verses typical kernels. Still, discrimination of medium and highly chalky kernels was possible with both the typical and bleached seeds. Seed orientation was a source of measurement variability. Seeds were manually and carefully oriented into two distinctly different positions. At the critical lower levels of detection, crease-down orientation may indicate a 100% vitreous seed with the two-dimension view of the scanner, but then 11 of 25 seeds measured some amount of chalkiness when the seed was turned on its side. Furthermore, for seeds with higher amounts of chalkiness, over half of those seeds measured 30% differences. Several durum market samples were provided by Federal Grain Inspection Service and contained levels of non-vitreous seeds for each of three sub-classes of durum: 80%, 65%, 50% vitreous seed. The samples were imaged and analyzed, and chalkiness distributions were plotted. These plots characterize the %chalk for the three classes of wheat. The imaging methods worked satisfactorily for the high and medium levels %chalk per kernel. But the very-low level of chalkiness per kernel proved to be more challenging and was not consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Durum wheat is an important cereal that is widely grown in the Mediterranean basin. In addition to high yield, grain quality traits are of high importance for farmers. The strong influence of climatic conditions makes the improvement of grain quality traits, like protein content, vitreousness, and test weight, a challenging task. Evaluation of quality traits post‐harvest is time‐ and labor‐intensive and requires expensive equipment, such as near‐infrared spectroscopes or hyperspectral imagers. Predicting not only yield but also important quality traits in the field before harvest is of high value for breeders aiming to optimize resource allocation. Implementation of efficient approaches for trait prediction, such as the use of high‐resolution spectral data acquired by a multispectral camera mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), needs to be explored. In this study, we have acquired multispectral image data with an 11‐band multispectral camera mounted on a UAV and analyzed the data with machine learning (ML) models to predict grain yield and important quality traits in breeding micro‐plots. Combining 11‐band multispectral data for 34 cultivars and 16 environments allowed to develop ML models with good prediction capability. Applying the trained models to test sets explained a considerable degree of phenotypic variance with good accuracy showing r squared values of 0.84, 0.69, 0.64, and 0.61 and normalized root mean squared errors of 0.17, 0.07, 0.14, and 0.03 for grain yield, protein content, vitreousness, and test weight, respectively. Significance Statement: The results of this study show that combining data from a multispectral camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle with machine learning is a powerful approach to efficiently predict important quality traits and yield pre‐harvest at the micro‐plot level. Robust prediction can be achieved by providing selected spectral wavebands directly to machine learning models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the conditions of high competition in the flour market, the development of models that allow to predict the quantitative and qualitative indicators of flour during grain milling and to understand the correlation between grain and flour quality indicators is extremely relevant and requires efforts in this direction. 64 samples of wheat grain from mills situated in different regions of Ukraine, grown in 2019 and 2020 and straight flour obtained from this wheat in the laboratory at the mill MLU-202 were investigated. The data obtained confirmed great variability of grain and flour quality indicators which can depends on many factors: from agro-climatic condition and variety features to milling flow diagram and tempering conditions before milling. Wheat quality indicators are shown next results: test weight values ranged from 727 to 845 g/l, vitreousness – from 25 to 83%, initial moisture content – from 10.4 to 13.7%, protein content – from 11.3 to 17.2%, ash content – from 1.35 to 1.73%, gluten content – from 17.6 to 38.3%, gluten deformation index – from 46 to 96 units and Falling Number – from 309 to 500 seconds. Analyzing of correlations between grain quality indicators and flour quality indicators shown: the direct extra high correlation between grain protein content and flour protein content (r=0.95) and also between grain gluten content and flour gluten content (r=0.87); average correlation between ash content of grain and ash content of flour (r=0.68). According to milling properties was found: average correlation of initial grain moisture content and flour yield (r=0.52), a direct high correlation between grain vitreousness and the ratio of reduction and break flour (r=0.70), and an inverse average correlation of test weight with ratio of break and reduction bran (r=–0.61). It has been established that the flour strength W is affected by a set of grain quality indicators: grain protein content with high coefficient correlation (r=0.70), grain gluten content and grain Falling Number with average correlation coefficients – r=0.53 and r=0.56, respectively. For other rheological indicators, such as stability, water absorption capacity and P/L, no high correlation coefficients were found, since their values depend on a complex of various indicators of grain. The obtained correlations can be used to improve the efficiency of grain blending before milling, to substantiate the modes of tempering, grinding, and flour mixing stage in existing mills, as well as to design a milling flow diagram for new mills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study on the effect of a local silicon-containing mineral resource (diatomite) on the yield of the Ukro spring triticale. The studies were conducted in 2014-2016 on a temporary experimental site in Bessonovsky district of Penza region. It was found that the use of diatomite contributed to an increase in the yield and quality of grain of the Ukro spring triticale. The grain yield of the studied variety of spring triticale on average over the years of study varied from 4.00 t/ha in the variant with the introduction of diatomite 2 t/ha to 4.30 t/ha in the variant with the introduction of diatomite 8 t/ha, with the average yield of the variety 3.80 t/ha in the control. Grain-unit, depending on the rate of diatomite, increased by 0.6-20.6 g/l, and vitreousness by 1.0-9.9%. Significant deviations in yield and quality were obtained in variants with rate of diatomite application from 4 to 8 t/ha.

Durum wheat is used as raw material for many foods. Climate change might be responsible for larger or smaller changes in crop yields. For the combined assessment of climate and crop, growing degree days (GDDs) have a crucial role. Two experimental lines and twelve commercial wheat (Triticum durum) varieties from diverse backgrounds were cultivated to compare their crop properties, yield, and protein content in terms of GDDs. The experiment was established in typical Mediterranean environment, using a randomized complete block design with blocks of varieties and lines for two growing seasons. For all varieties, GDDs to head emergence was affected by factor year, whereas GDDs from head emergence to harvest were influenced by both varieties and year. Protein content (%) was not affected by genotypes. Factor of variety and interaction variety × year had an impact on vitreousness; it was ranged from 79.75 % (‘Makaras’ variety) to 44.00 % (‘Levante’ variety). Yield had no statistically significant difference among varieties/lines. In durum wheat cultivation, up to head emergence, when GDDs increased, yield would be declined in contrast to GDDs from emergence to harvest; with the increasing of GDDs to harvest, yield was climbed. Nowadays, the integrations of and interpretation of GDDs in the evaluation of crop performance seem vital.

Short heat waves (SHW), defined as periods of several consecutive days with high temperatures above the developmental optimum, will become more frequent due to climate change. The impact of SHW on yield and yield-related parameters has received considerable interest, but their effects on grain quality remain poorly understood. We employed a simulation approach to investigate the impact of SHW on durum wheat quality over a 7 day period, starting 1 week after anthesis. During the SHW treatment, carried out using portable polyethylene tents, the temperature in the treated plots increased by 10-15 °C during daily hours. The SHW treatment reduced the number of grains per spike, thousand kernel weight, and total carotenoid content in grains in stressed plants in comparison to control plants. However, no differences in the protein content or percentage of vitreous grains were observed. The behavior of individual carotenoids in response to SHW appears to differ, suggesting a differential change in the balance between β,ε- and β,β-branches of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway as a consequence of SHW-induced stress. The present study highlights the importance of developing efficient breeding strategies for reduced sensitivities to heat stress. Such strategies should not only prioritize yield but also encompass grain quality.

Grain of spelt winter wheat varieties Zoria Ukrainy and Europa grown under the conditions of Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine was used according to the schedule: 1) without fertilizers (the check variant); 2) P60 + N120; 3) K60 + N120; 4) P60K60 – ground; 5) ground + N120; 6) ground + N60 + N60; 7) ground + N60 S70 + N60. Such fertilizers were applied as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, granulated superphosphate and potassium chloride. The aim of the study is to determine milling properties of grain of winter wheat varieties depending on species, rules and terms of applying nitrogen fertilizers. Thousand-kernel weight, grain unit and vitreousness are determined. It is found that physical properties vary considerably depending on weather conditions, variety and fertilizer. Improving conditions of nitrogen nutrition mostly increases thousandkernel weight and vitreousness. However, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers significantly depends on the particular variety. On average over three years of studies thousand-kernel weight of Zoria Ukrainy variety increased from 49.8 g in unfertilized areas to 52.7 g in variants with retail application of nitrogen fertilizers or by 6 %. Using phosphorus, nitrogen and potash and nitrogen fertilizers it increased to 50.0g and applying a complete mineral fertilizer it was up to 52.1 g. In favorable 2014 thousand-kernel weight of Zoria Ukrainy variety was 56.7–57.1 g in single application of nitrogen fertilizers and it was 57.5– 55.6 g with retail application. In 2015 it was 49.8–50.2 g and 50.7–50.9 g, respectively and in 2013 it was 48.3–49.1 g and 49.7–49.8 g. Thousand-kernel weight of Europa variety varies from 52.3 to 55.3 g depending on the fertilization. However, thousand-kernel weight for this variety was the greatest in 2013 because that year plants did not lodge. It is found that vitreousness of grain of Zoria Ukrainy variety without fertilizers is 92 % and rising to 100 % with the retail application of nitrogen fertilizers. Application of phosphorus, nitrogen potash and nitrogen fertilizers and the complete mineral fertilizer increases vitreousness to 99 % or by 7 points compared with the check variant. Vitreousness of grain of Europa variety varies from 78 to 96 % depending on species, rules and terms of application of nitrogen fertilizers

The article presents an analysis of productivity of the present varieties of durum spring wheat in the steppe part of Orenburg Pre-Urals during 2005-2014. The peculiarities of effect of moisture conditions on the change of productivity and technological properties of wheat have been estimated. In the dry years there was a decrease of grain mass, content of protein and gluten quality. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the largest decrease of test weight, and the varieties of Orenburg breeding showed the smallest decrease. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the smallest decrease of protein contents in grain. The varieties of Ukraine breeding showed the most negative effect of dry conditions on their properties. In the dry years in comparison with the wet years there is an increase of the total vitreousness. The varieties of Ukraine and Samara breeding showed the largest increase of it. It is necessary to use the varieties which were found less depressive to dry conditions for more efficient grain production. If the studied varieties are cultivated under limited conditions of GOST in the steppe of Orenburg Pre-Urals, the grain production of 1-3 class can be obtained.

In Europe, durum wheat is traditionally grown primarily in the Mediterranean region. A question arises as to whether now, in a situation of global climate change, the conditions for durum wheat might be more favourable also in countries with temperate continental climate. Field trials at a location in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic with a typical European continental climate were established in four harvest years (2011 – 2014). Yield, quality and deoxynivalenol content were evaluated and the impact of year and variety was studied. The best quality was achieved in 2013, when 4 of 5 varieties met all the quality requirements for durum wheat according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1272 / 2009. The most frequent reason for unsatisfactory quality was loss of vitreousness and low falling number. In 2012, three varieties froze, and this year was therefore excluded from evaluation. Yield varied between 7.6 t ha−1 in 2013 to 10.9 t ha−1 in 2014 and it was in a negative, statistically significant relationship with most of qualitative traits, particularly with vitreousness (r = − 0.72). The strongest correlation between qualitative traits was found between vitreousness and thousand kernel weight (r = − 0.73) and vitreousness and test weight (r = 0.70).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of maize grain texture (dent vs semi-flint) and two different stages of maturity (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line) on ruminal starch degradability and total tract digestibility using in situ and combined in situ-in vitro methods, respectively. The content of whole plant dry matter was 324.6 vs 399.5 g/kg (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line, respectively) for dent maize and 330.2 vs 401.3 g/kg for semi-flint maize. Organic nutrients (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, ether extract, starch), 1000-grain weight, vitreousness, and mean particle size were determined. The evaluation was performed using two non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Effective degradability of dry matter and starch was calculated at ruminal outflow rates of 4, 6, and 8%/h. Vitreousness was lower for dent than for semi-flint grain, averaging 65.6% and 74.3% (P < 0.001). Ground dent maize grain showed lower mean particle size than did that of semi-flint maize (1.76 vs 1.88 mm, respectively, P < 0.001). Effective starch degradability calculated for the medium outflow rate (6%/h) was 69.1% vs 65.3% (P < 0.01) for dent and semi-flint maize and 69.0% vs 65.4% (P < 0.01) for lower (1/2 milk line) and higher (3/4 milk line) maturity, respectively. Higher (P < 0.001) mean starch total tract digestibility was found for dent maize (88.5%) than for semi-flint maize (82.5%) and for kernels harvested at 1/2 milk line (87.4%) than for those harvested at 3/4 milk line (83.6%, P < 0.001). Small differences in grain texture and silage maturity stage significantly influenced ruminal in situ degradability and total tract in situ-in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility.

Grain hardness is one of the most important quality characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It is a significant property of wheat grains and relates to milling quality and end product quality. Grain hardness is caused by the presence of puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb). A collection of 25 genotypes of wheat with unusual grain colour (blue aleurone, purple and white pericarp, yellow endosperm) was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diversity within Pina and Pinb (alleles: Pina-D1a, Pina-D1b, Pinb-D1a, Pinb- -D1b, Pinb-D1c and Pinb-D1d). The endosperm structure was determined by a non-destructive method using light transfl ectance meter and grain hardness by a texture analyser. Genotype Novosibirskaya 67 and isogenic ANK lines revealed hitherto unknown alleles at the locus for the annealing of primers of Pinb-D1. Allele Pinb-D1c was found to be absent from each genotype. The mealy endosperm ranged from 0 to 100 % and grain hardness from 15.10 to 26.87 N per sample.

Fast, simple laboratory methods were used to analyze 22 maize samples varying in kernel vitreousness from 50.23% to 76.41%. Samples were analyzed in terms of zein content (53.86–86.37 g/kg endosperm DM), amylose content (190.76–259.77 g/kg endosperm DM), amylose to amylopectin ratio in starch (0.28–0.43), as well as starch granule size (10.95–14.89 μm in equivalent diameter) and starch granule shape (circularity, 0.85–0.94). More vitreous samples had higher zein and amylose content, as well as smaller and less circular starch granules. Nearly all grain traits on their own significantly affected vitreousness, and a multiple regression model to account for their combined effects was able to explain 61.8% of variability in kernel vitreousness. Zein content contributed most to the model, followed by starch granule projected area and circularity. In contrast, the amylose content contributed only 5.1% to the model. These results suggest that starch-protein interactions influence maize kernel vitreousness more strongly than starch molecular properties do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, durum wheat is traditionally grown primarily in the Mediterranean region. A question arises as to whether now, in a situation of global climate change, the conditions for durum wheat might be more favourable also in countries with temperate continental climate. Field trials at a location in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic with a typical European continental climate were established in four harvest years (2011 - 2014). Yield, quality and deoxynivalenol content were evaluated and the impact of year and variety was studied. The best quality was achieved in 2013, when 4 of 5 varieties met all the quality requirements for durum wheat according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1272 / 2009. The most frequent reason for unsatisfactory quality was loss of vitreousness and low falling number. In 2012, three varieties froze, and this year was therefore excluded from evaluation. Yield varied between 7.6 t ha-1 in 2013 to 10.9 t ha-1 in 2014 and it was in a negative, statistically significant relationship with most of qualitative traits, particularly with vitreousness (r = - 0.72). The strongest correlation between qualitative traits was found between vitreousness and thousand kernel weight (r = - 0.73) and vitreousness and test weight (r = 0.70). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major nutritional and agronomical issues relating to maize (Zea mays) grains depend on the vitreousness/hardness of its endosperm. To identify the corresponding molecular and cellular mechanisms, most studies have been conducted on opaque/floury mutants, and recently on Quality Protein Maize, a reversion of an opaque2 mutation by modifier genes. These mutant lines are far from conventional maize crops. Therefore, a dent and a flint inbred line were chosen for analysis of the transcriptome, amino acid, and sugar metabolites of developing central and peripheral endosperm that is, the forthcoming floury and vitreous regions of mature seeds, respectively. The results suggested that the formation of endosperm vitreousness is clearly associated with significant differences in the responses of the endosperm to hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This occurs through a coordinated regulation of energy metabolism and storage protein (i.e., zein) biosynthesis during the grain-filling period. Indeed, genes involved in the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle are up-regulated in the periphery, while genes involved in alanine, sorbitol, and fermentative metabolisms are up-regulated in the endosperm center. This spatial metabolic regulation allows the production of ATP needed for the significant zein synthesis that occurs at the endosperm periphery; this finding agrees with the zein-decreasing gradient previously observed from the sub-aleurone layer to the endosperm center. The massive synthesis of proteins transiting through endoplasmic reticulum elicits the unfolded protein responses, as indicated by the splicing of bZip60 transcription factor. This splicing is relatively higher at the center of the endospermthan at its periphery. The biological responses associated with this developmental stress, which control the starch/protein balance, leading ultimately to the formation of the vitreous and floury regions of mature endosperm, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat flours are essential ingredients of daily food products like bread, cookies or pastries. Their quality depends on the milling process and mechanical strength of wheat grains. Although it is well known that the strength and rupture of grains are strongly controlled by the endosperm microstructure, the respective roles of the starch and polymer volume fractions and their adhesion are not yet fully understood. This typical biological microstructure can be modeled as a cemented granular material, where the two size populations of starch granules (large:A-type, small:B-type) are the particles, and the protein matrix, which partially fills the space between granules, plays the role of a cement. This structural model of wheat endosperm is used, together with mechanical characteristics of starch and proteins obtained by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements, to simulate the mechanical behavior and breakage of wheat endosperm in milling process. We find that the porosity outweighs the effect of other parameters for the elastic modulus, which declines as a nearly linear function of porosity. We also show that the tensile strength is an increasing function of the amount and connectivity of starch granules with increasing concentration of stresses along chains of granules. This effect is more significant at low porosity where stress distribution is mainly controlled by the contact network between starch granules. This effect explains why the protein content is not fully correlated to vitreousness, and samples of similar protein content can be different in vitreosity. Finally, we find that the starch-granule adhesion strongly affects the tensile strength whereas the effect of starch volume fraction appears mainly at high interface adhesion, which is the case of hard type wheat grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Were evaluated twelve commercial corn hybrids with hard and dent grains in two locals in South Central of Paraná State, South Region, Brazil, with the objective of study the effect of the vitreousness of the grains in agronomic behavior, nutritional value and digestibility dry mass of grains and forage, at the silage maturity. The experimental design was randomize blocks, and the harvest for forage and gains quality analysis was performed at the ¾ of the milk line stage in grain, corresponding at silage maturity. Were evaluated yield characteristics, vitreousness, digestibility of grains and forage, as well as bromatological characteristics of the evaluated hybrids. There was significant effect to locals, hybrids and to interaction hybrids x locals, in important forage quality characteristic. The vitreousness analyses possibly to verify corn genotypes with grains textures ranging from 50.1 to 75.2%, showing variability available for the character in commercial hybrids. The hybrids AS 1572PRO and AG 8041PRO, with dent and semi dent grains, stood out and can be recommended as high productivity of digestible dry matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between kernel vitreousness and proteins and starch partitioning to the floury and vitreous regions of the endosperm were monitored in a set of 13 maize inbred lines. Decrease of protein contents from the vitreous to the floury endosperms were mainly assigned to α-zeins. Using Raman microspectroscopy, we observed a protein gradient from the periphery to the center of endosperms that well fitted with the inverse relationships between vitreousness and protein content of the vitreous and floury regions. In addition, Raman microspectroscopy highlighted an increase of starch crystallinity from the periphery to the center of the maize endosperms. This agrees with the higher amylose and associated lipid contents within starches of vitreous than in those of floury endosperms. Finally, starch granules from vitreous regions displayed more channels than the floury ones. These channels contain proteins that might favor adhesion of proteins to starch granules or granule–granule contacts to form the close packing of the vitreous endosperm. Therefore transition from vitreous to floury endosperm is at least the result of both protein and starch gradients. These gradients are probably associated with metabolic gradients that have been observed during endosperm development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifier loci in QPM play a vital role in achieving acceptable degree of kernel hardness and accumulation of lysine and tryptophan. This study was undertaken to characterize a set of diverse QPM inbreds using SSRs linked to endosperm and amino acids modifier loci for their effective utilization in the breeding programme. Significant variation was observed for endosperm modification (25-100% opaqueness), tryptophan (0.056-0.111%) and lysine (0.223-0.444%). Generally, inbreds with soft endosperm possessed more tryptophan and lysine than inbreds with higher vitreousness. SSRs generated 341 alleles with two to seven alleles per locus. The frequency of unique and rare alleles was more for amino acid modifications, compared to endosperm modifications. Phylogenetic analyses grouped the inbreds into three major clusters, and the study identified suitable crosses for accumulation of endosperm and amino acids modifiers. QPM inbreds with desirable modifications identified here would serve as suitable donor for both opaque2 and modifier loci in the marker-assisted backcross breeding. Further, contrasting inbreds can be used for generating mapping populations to identify new modifier loci underlying both endosperm and amino acids modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predominance of vitreous endosperm in hard texture flint corn (Zea mays L.) can decrease ruminal starch digestion comparatively to the farinaceous endosperm of dent corn, reducing energy content of the grain. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of texture and maturity stage on ruminal degradability of corn grain. Two dent and two flint hybrids were harvested at the early dent, half milk line, and black layer stages. The proportion of vitreous endosperm (vitreousness) in dent hybrids was 44.3%, while in flint it was 67.0%. There was a linear increase in vitreousness with advancing maturity. Flint hybrids at the early dent stage were more vitreous than dent at the black layer stage. The increase in vitreousness per maturation day was greater for flint hybrids. Grains were incubated in situ in the rumen of 6 cows. The 24-hour ruminal dry matter degradation was 63.3% for dent corn and 52.4% for flint corn. The 72-hour incubation residues of dent and flint hybrids were 7.6% and 15.6%, respectively. Ruminal degradability was similar between hybrids at the early dent and half milk line stages. There was a marked texture effect on ruminal degradability at the black layer stage (quadratic effect of maturity stage and interaction between texture and maturity stage). Use of dent hybrids, compared to flint hybrids, may result in smaller relative reduction in ruminal starch digestion in situations of late grain harvesting.A predominância de endosperma vítreo em milho (Zea mays L.) flint de textura dura pode deprimir a digestão ruminal do amido comparativamente ao endosperma farináceo de milho dentado, reduzindo o conteúdo energético do grão. O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar os efeitos da textura e do estádio de maturidade sobre a degradabilidade ruminal de grãos de milho. Dois híbridos dentados e dois duros foram colhidos nos estádios dentado inicial, metade da linha do leite e linha preta. A proporção de endosperma vítreo (vitreosidade) dos híbridos dentados foi 44,3% e a dos duros foi 67,0%. Ocorreu aumento linear na vitreosidade com o avançar da maturidade. Os híbridos duros no estádio dentado inicial foram mais vítreos que os dentados no estádio linha preta. O aumento na vitreosidade por dia de maturação foi maior nos híbridos duros. Os grãos foram incubados in situ no rúmen de 6 vacas. A degradação ruminal da matéria seca em 24 horas foi 63,3% nos grãos dentados e 52,4% nos duros. O resíduo após 72 horas de incubação de híbridos dentados e duros foram 7,6% e 15,6%, respectivamente. A degradabilidade ruminal dos híbridos foi similar nos estádios dentado inicial e metade da linha do leite. O efeito da textura sobre a degradabilidade ruminal foi acentuado no estádio linha preta (P < 0,01 para o efeito quadrático de estádio de maturação e para a interação entre textura e estádio de maturação). A utilização de híbridos dentados, comparativamente a híbridos duros, pode resultar em menor queda relativa na digestão ruminal do amido em situações de colheita tardia dos grãos.

Grain hardness is one of the most important quality characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It is a significant property of wheat grains and relates to milling quality and end product quality. Grain hardness is caused by the presence of puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb). A collection of 25 genotypes of wheat with unusual grain colour (blue aleurone, purple and white pericarp, yellow endosperm) was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diversity within Pina and Pinb (alleles: Pina-D1a, Pina-D1b, Pinb-D1a, Pinb-D1b, Pinb-D1c and Pinb-D1d). The endosperm structure was determined by a non-destructive method using light transflectance meter and grain hardness by a texture analyser. Genotype Novosibirskaya 67 and isogenic ANK lines revealed hitherto unknown alleles at the locus for the annealing of primers of Pinb-D1. Allele Pinb-D1c was found to be absent from each genotype. The mealy endosperm ranged from 0 to 100 % and grain hardness from 15.10 to 26.87 N per sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hyperspectral flatbed scanner can accurately and quickly characterize maize seeds. • Whole intact kernels are scanned without any sample preparation. • Compositional and morphometric traits are predicted with single kernel resolution. • Hyperspectral imaging allows kernel side-specific prediction models. Large-scale investigations of maize kernel traits important to researchers, breeders, and processors require high throughput methods, which are presently lacking. To address this bottleneck, we developed a novel flatbed platform that automatically acquires and analyzes multiwavelength near-infrared (NIR hyperspectral) images of maize kernels precisely enough to support robust predictions of protein content, density, and endosperm vitreousness. The upward facing-camera design and the automated ability to analyze the embryo or abgerminal sides of each individual kernel in a sample with the appropriate side-specific model helped to produce a superior combination of throughput and prediction accuracy compared to other single-kernel platforms. Protein was predicted to within 0.85% (root mean square error of prediction), density to within 0.038 g/cm3, and endosperm vitreousness percentage to within 6.3%. Kernel length and width were also accurately measured so that each kernel in a rapidly scanned sample was comprehensively characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern durum wheat breeding programs are becoming more oriented toward creation of not only high-yield cultivars but also high quality, with good stability for the trait of interest. Vitreousness of grain is associated with semolina granulation, color, and protein content; it is regarded as one of the most important characteristics in the grading industry, affecting the commercial value of the commodity. A set of 15 winter and facultative durum wheat genotypes was tested for grain vitreousness across 6 environments for 2 consecutive years. Three-way analysis of variance showed that genotype, location, and year contributed 4.1%, 20.6%, and 42.2% to the total sum of squares, respectively. Interaction terms, including genotype, contributed 6.1% to the total sum of squares, and location x year contributed 27.0%. Stability of grain vitreousness for the examined breeding lines and cultivars of durum wheat was shown by the site's regression. Broad-sense heritability of grain vitreousness was estimated to be 71%. Climatic variables were used for factorial regression modeling, and most of the interaction term for grain vitreousness was explained by mean temperatures in June (54.4%) and April (14.2%), and precipitation (14.4%) and sunshine hours (14.3%) in March. During the grain filling and grain ripening stages, the most influential climatic variables in explaining interaction were maximum temperature (43.4%), precipitation (30.9%), and sunshine hours (5.6%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interest in the study of the effect of endosperm vitreousness (VT) on the nutritive value of maize is increasing in pig nutrition. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of maize VT on starch digestion, resistant starch (RS) content, dry matter digestibility as well as on large intestine fermentation kinetics and related end products by using several in vitro techniques specifically designed for pigs. A set of 30 maize grains was selected to represent a wide range of VT (as a proportion of vitreous in total endosperm) determined by a manual dissection method. Five distinct VT classes were designed [very low (vlVT), low (lVT), medium (mVT), high (hVT) and very high (vhVT)] and identified by a specific VT value (i.e., 291, 357, 432, 611 and 830g/kg endosperm, respectively), calculated as the mean of VT values of maize samples entering the specific class. Starch digestion (expressed as predicted glycemic index) and the rate of starch digestion decreased linearly (ranging from 42.5 to 14.5 and from 0.018 to 0.006/min respectively, for vlVT and vhVT; P<0.05), whereas RS increased linearly (from 183 to 381g/kg dry matter; P<0.05) with VT classes. The total tract in vitro dry matter digestibility decreased linearly (from 0.96 to 0.75; P<0.05) with VT classes. The in vitro fermentation showed that the rate of fermentation decreased (from 0.060 to 0.044/h; P<0.05), whereas the total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production increased (ranging from 6.29 to 7.29mmol/g dry matter incubated; P<0.05) linearly with VT classes. The molar ratio of acetate linearly increased, ranging from 0.50 to 0.55 (P<0.05) with VT classes, whereas no differences were observed for other individual SCFA. The loading plot of principal component analysis revealed significant relationships between VT and variables of interest. Results indicated that VT promoted marked effects on in vitro parameters related to starch and dry matter digestibility and fermentable kinetics for pigs. Further in vivo validations are required to validate these findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The physical and chemical characteristics of five Syrian durum wheat cultivars grown under varying environmental conditions were investigated. Two cultivars were grown under irrigated conditions whilst two were grown under rainfed conditions in five different locations. A known cultivar ( Sham-1) was grown alongside the samples in all locations as a control. Test weight, 1000-kernel weight, the degree of vitreousness, protein content, starch content, amylose content and starch pasting properties were determined for the samples. The effect of the environmental factors and their interaction (site × irrigation) showed that the irrigation factor was more responsible for physical quality variations than the site factor (for instance, site variation of the irrigated conditions was responsible for 61% of the total quality variation and 34% of total quality variations in the rainfed conditions). Starch composition was influenced more by site variations than irrigation, whereas cultivar factor mainly influenced starch quantity, chemical composition and pasting properties (for instance, variations were mostly affected by cultivar (63%) more than site (15%) in the irrigated lands). The interaction of cultivar and site demonstrated significant effects on the degree of vitreousness, amylose content and starch pasting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Maximal water uptake and diffusivity were determined from experimental soaking curves using analytical solution of the second Fick’s law in four barley samples displaying distinct hydrolytic activities during malting. Water diffusivities in the whole grains, were found to vary between 5.28 and 7.61×10−12 m2/s, whereas those of the endosperms were 5–7-fold higher, ranging between 35.2 and 49.5×10−12 m2/s. These differences highlighted the potential barrier role of the grain outer layers. The relationships between maximal water uptake, water diffusivity and grain biochemical and structural parameters (i.e. hardness and other less studied parameters such as vitreousness and porosity) was investigated. The lowest water diffusivity value was obtained for the barley sample displaying the lowest porosity, highest hardness and vitreousness but the highest enzymatic activity during malting, in contradiction with what is generally stated. Water diffusion was not found as the limiting factor for malt quality and, thus, its role during barley steeping has to be reconsidered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Variations in the quality of wheat kernels can be an important problem in the cereal industry. In particular, desiccation conditions play an essential role in both the technological characteristics of the kernel and its ability to sprout. In planta desiccation constitutes a key stage in the determinism of the functional properties of seeds. The impact of desiccation on the endosperm texture of seed is presented in this work. A simple imaging system had previously been developed to acquire multivariate images to characterize the heterogeneity of food materials. A special algorithm for the use under principal component analysis (PCA) was developed to process the acquired multivariate images. Wheat grains were collected at physiological maturity, and were subjected to two types of drying conditions that induced different kinetics of water loss. A data set containing 24 images (dimensioned 702 × 524 pixels) corresponding to the different desiccation stages of wheat kernels was acquired at different wavelengths and then analyzed. A comparison of the images of kernel sections highlighted changes in kernel texture as a function of their drying conditions. Slow drying led to a floury texture, whereas fast drying caused a glassy texture. The automated imaging system thus developed is sufficiently rapid and economical to enable the characterization in large collections of grain texture as a function of time and water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The proportion of vitreous kernels in a sample is an internationally recognized specification for determining the value of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Vitreous kernels are mostly related to quality, which affects the pasta performance during cooking. Vitreousness and the amount of shrunken kernels are visually assessed during the grading process. This assessment is subjective and tedious. A machine vision system was developed to determine the percentage of vitreous, starchy, piebald and shrunken kernels in approximately 100 grain samples, using a trans-illuminated image of one layer of non-singulated kernels (in bulk) acquired by a digital camera. Classification models were developed with stepwise Linear Discriminant Analysis, as well as an on-line Bayesian classifier integrated with an image analysis system. The overall correct classification in Starchy classifier was high 98.58% in the Training set, made up of 6679 grains, following the Linear Discriminant Analysis classification, of 30 Italian cultivars harvested in 2005 in three localities. An independent Test set was constituted by samples collected in 30 Sicilian Storage Centres in the 2007 harvest season. The overall classification was 96.03%. For the Shrunken classifier 95.27% of the Training set and 99.58% of the Test set were correctly classified. The image analysis system was more reliable than the human inspectors who validated the system, both for the same samples measured many times and at different times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We assessed the effects of vitreousness and particle size of maize grain on ruminal and intestinal in sacco degradation of dry matter, starch and nitrogen. Six maize grain (Zea mays) genotypes characterized by differing vitreousness (proportion of vitreous in total endosperm) were ground (3-mm screen; Gr, ground particles, mean particle size (MPS): 526μm) and cracked with a roller mill using two gap width settings (CS, cracked small particles, MPS: 1360μm; CL, cracked large particles, MPS: 2380μm). The ruminal and intestinal in sacco degradation of dry matter, starch and nitrogen was measured on three dry Holstein cows, fitted with rumen, proximal duodenum and terminal ileum cannulas, fed maize silage ad libitum twice daily. The ruminal starch degradability and intestinal digestibility differed among genotypes (P<0.001) and decreased as particle size increased (P<0.001). For the same particle size, starch ruminal degradability decreased (P<0.05) and intestinal digestibility decreased (P<0.002) with vitreousness. Particle size and vitreousness of maize grain are efficient factors for manipulating the amount of starch escaping rumen degradation, but may be limiting for the amount of starch digested in the small intestine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The characterisation of the wheat endosperm by mechanical tests of compression highlighted a relation between the rupture energy and the elasticity modulus for different varieties of wheat; this relation allows us to distinguish mealy and vitreous endosperms. An approach based on the micromechanics of cohesive granular materials is used to analyse these experimental results. A geometrical model of the wheat endosperm made of grains linked by cohesive bonds is proposed. We introduced two parameters, the first one α represents the percentage of active bonds (bonds where the stiffness and strength are non-zero), and the second one β represents the threshold of the bond''s rupture. The parameter β can be related to the cross-section of the bond. This model successfully describes the mechanical tests on the wheat endosperm. The comparison with the experimental tests makes it possible to clearly differentiate vitreous wheats and mealy wheats and then attribute this property to the parameter β. The model shows the same tendency as regards the evolution of the rupture energy and the elastic modulus with the parameter α. The modelling of endosperm by the mechanics of cohesive granular media provides a new theoretical framework to interpret the rheology of endosperm. This approach allows us to connect this rheology to the mechanical actions at the scale of the granules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

From the investigations done concerning the change of the basic milling indices in wheat conditioning by dielectric heating it has been established that the hectolitre weight in wheat variety with 32%, 52% and 84% of vitreousness decreases up to the third hour for the first two wheat varieties and to the fourth hour for the third variety, after which the values were constant. The index of wheat vitreousness increases to the second hour for the low-vitreous wheat variety, to the fourth hour for the medium-vitreous wheat variety and to the fifth hour in the highly vitreous wheat variety. After these hours, the vitreous values were constant. The dependence between tempering time and the indices of vitreousness and hectolitre weight in wheat conditioning by dielectric heating has been investigated. From the regression equations that were obtained, it is possible to prognosticate the tempering time by pre-setting values of the indices at the vitreousness and their respective moistures that were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Negative correlations between corn vitreousness and ruminal dry matter and starch degradabilities have been widely reported. To measure corn vitreousness and density more rapidly, Correa et al. [Correa, C.E.S., Shaver, R.D., Pereira, M.N., Lauer, J.G., Kohn, K., 2002. Relationship between corn vitreousness and ruminal in-situ starch degradability. J. Dairy Sci. 85, 3008–3012] initiated the development of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations from 47 samples derived from 14 US and five Brazilian commercial hybrids. In this study, we generated more data to add to these NIRS calibrations with the objective of making them more robust. We also evaluated the potential of using Stenvert hardness measurements for NIR calibrations. Thirty-three diverse corn germplasm sources were grown at University of Wisconsin West Madison Research Station. These included a wide range of endosperm characteristics from opaque 2 (o2) types to densely packed flint types, and a number of intermediates. Harvest was at 1/2 milkline and black-layer maturity stages. Dried kernels from middle portions of ears from 12 selected inbreds, four each from low (0–30%), medium (30–70%), and high (70–100%) vitreousness classifications were used to determine vitreousness by manual dissection and density by water displacement using a pycnometer. Hardness was determined on all 33 inbreds on a 20g sample using a Stenvert micro hammer-cutter mill with 2mm screen size and 3600rpm to measure time to collect ground sample to a set receptacle height (T); total column height (CH); and height ratio of coarse to fine (C/F) particles. The NIRS equations were selected on the basis of high R 2-values (0.90, 0.92, 0.85, and 0.85) and low SEC (4.85, 0.01, 1.39, and 0.19) and SECV (6.04, 0.02, 1.79, and 0.25), for vitroueness, density, T and CH factors, respectively. Calibrations for vitreousness and density were regarded as the best prediction models compared to stenvert hardness measurements as determined by their RPD values (3.73 and 2.50, respectively). These results show that NIRS can be used as a screening tool in large-scale breeding trials to develop corn hybrids of desired endosperm properties for improved ruminal degradabilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Correlations between kernel vitreousness and ruminal in situ (RDMD) and total tract dry matter (TDMD; sum of ruminal in situ and post-ruminal in vitro measurements) degradabilities were determined for 33 diverse corn germplasm sources. These included a wide range of endosperm characteristics from opaque 2 (o2) types to densely packed flint types, and a number of intermediates. Harvests were done at two growth stages; 1/2 milk-line (ML) and black-layer (BL). Kernels from middle portion of ears were oven dried at 40°C for 72h and ground through a Wiley mill (6mm screen) for measurement of in situ RDMD after 0 and 14h of incubation using two steers (1.5g/bag×8 replicates per time point per steer in 5cm×5cm bags of 50μm pore size). Residue from the 14h bags proceeded to an 8h in vitro enzymatic post-ruminal digestion after which the residue was oven dried at 62°C for 48h and dry matter content determined. Inbred by harvest-stage interactions were observed for 0-h disappearance and TDMD. Vitreousness had strong negative correlations with degradability measurements, particularly for more mature (BL) samples (−0.728, −0.770 and −0.603) versus ML (−0.569, −0.541 and −0.338) for 0h disappearance, RDMD and TDMD, respectively. Vitreousness was highly correlated with corn degradability, especially at a black-layer stage of harvest, in this diverse corn germplasm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was carried out in order to determine the grain vitreousness percentage and stability performance of 44 durum wheat genotypes, which were tested in 3 different environments during 2 growing periods. Grain vitreousness percentage of the genotypes ranged between 69.2% and 90.0%. Svevo, Amanos 97, and Zenit varieties had the highest vitreousness kernel percentages and the lowest grain yields. The negative correlation coefficient between vitreous grain percentage and grain yield, according to correlation analysis, confirms this result. Mutant 47, Harran 95, Epidur, and Kızıltan 95 were the most stable genotypes with respect to all stability parameters studied for vitreousness. Therefore, they can be recommended for profitable grain yield and consistent quality durum wheat production in the north-western region of Turkey. Svevo, Amanos 97, Zenit, Gediz 75, Ankara 98, Mirzabey, and Fuatbey 2000 varieties could be used as progenitors in future breeding programmes due to their high grain vitreousness potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The reduction of coarse farina during milling from five representative hard and soft French bread wheat cultivars was followed step by step. Particle size distribution of the milled products and energy required to dissociate wheat farina revealed large differences between cultivars. A grinding index (required energy to produce 1kg of flour), K′, corresponding to the energy necessary to obtain a given amount of flour, was found to be related with both grain hardness and vitreousness. Analysis of particle size distribution suggested a major influence of hardness in the production of fine particles <50μm during the reduction process. On the other hand, vitreousness appeared to impact on the extent of coarse particle size reduction. Differences in farina reduction behaviour of the wheats analysed were related to their endosperm mechanical properties as determined by compression tests and structural characteristics as measured by Hg intrusion porosity. Vitreousness appeared to affect the endosperm extensibility and degree of porosity. The profile of the different lipid and protein classes in the reduction products of two cultivars showing opposite behaviour as well as different PINA/PINB ratio were determined. The results suggest that the most resistant parts of the grain are enriched in glycolipids, whereas phospholipids appear associated with the most friable parts, at least in the soft wheat grains tested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Some physical and chemical characteristics of nine Syrian durum wheat genotypes were determined in order to investigate the relationships among individual kernel components and kernel quality. All genotypes were grown on fully irrigated plots in Syria. Test weight, 1000-kernel weight, kernel size distribution, hardness and semolina extraction rates were determined along with the chemical characteristics of the kernel (ash, moisture, protein, wet gluten, starch content and falling number). All tested genotypes had high test weight (83.1–85.9 kg hl−1) and 1000-kernel weight (42.5–55.5 g) indicating high milling yield potential. Additionally, all the wheat genotypes demonstrated high falling numbers (433–597 s). Correlation coefficients among the quality properties showed that moisture content did not demonstrate any strong correlations with the studied quality parameters. Protein content exhibited a positive correlation with vitreousness ( r = 0.78), and a negative correlation with ash content ( r = −0.57). Test weight exhibited a negative correlation with 1000-kernel weight ( r = −0.66), and a positive correlation was observed between test weight and starch content of the kernel ( r = 0.78). The results illustrate the commonality between Syrian durum wheat genotypes and US and Canadian durum wheat genotypes reported by researchers previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight cannulated Holstein steers (average BW: 251 kg) were used in 2 simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares in a split-plot arrangement to test the effects of processing method [dry-rolled (DR) vs. steam-flaked (SF); main plot] and vitreousness (V, %; subplot) of yellow dent corn (V55, V61, V63, and V65) on site of digestion of diets containing 73.2% corn grain. No vitreousness × processing method interactions were detected for ruminal digestion, but ruminal starch digestion was 14.4% lower (P < 0.01) for DR than for SF corn. Interactions were detected between vitreousness and processing method for postruminal (P < 0.10) and total tract digestion (P <0.05). With DR, vitreousness tended to decrease (linear effect, P < 0.10) postruminal OM and starch digestion. With SF, vitreousness did not affect (P ≥ 0.15) postruminal digestion of OM and starch. Postruminal N digestion tended to decrease (linear effect, P = 0.12) as vitreousness increased. Postruminal digestion was greater for SF than for DR corn OM (25.7%, P < 0.05), starch (94.3%, P < 0.10), and N (10.7%, P < 0.01). Steam flaking increased total tract digestion of OM (11%, P < 0.05), starch (16%, P < 0.01), and N (8.4%, P < 0.05) but decreased total tract AIJF digestion (26.7%, P < 0.01). With DR, total tract starch digestion was lower for V65 (cubic effect, P < 0.10) than for the other hybrids. With SF, total tract starch digestion was not affected (P ≥ 0.15) by vitreousness. Fecal starch and total tract starch digestion were inversely related (starch digestion, % = 101 - 0.65 × fecal starch, %; r² = 0.94, P < 0.01). Ruminal pH was greater for steers fed DR than for steers fed SF corn (6.03 vs. 5.62, P <0.05). Steam flaking decreased (P < 0.01) the ruminal molar proportion of acetate (24%), acetate:propionate molar ratio (55%), estimated methane production (37.5%), and butyrate (11.3%, P < 0.05). There was a vitreousness × processing interaction (P < 0.01) for acetate:propionate. For DR, acetate:propionate tended to increase (linear effect; P < 0.10) with increasing vitreousness. With SF, acetate:propionate was greater (cubic effect, P < 0.01) for V65. Starch from more vitreous corn grain was less digested when corn grain was DR, but this adverse effect of vitreousness on digestion was negated when the corn grain was SF. Of the 19% advantage in energetic efficiency associated with flaked over rolled corn grain, about ¾ can be attributed to increased OM digestibility, with the remaining ¼ ascribed to reduced methane loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Starch supplied from corn grain or corn silage is an important source of dietary energy for lactating dairy cows and other ruminants, but few laboratory methods are available to determine starch digestion potential. A laboratory method, degree of starch gelatinization (DSG), commonly used by the food industry to assess relative differences in starch characteristics of human foods was modified for application to corn grain and corn silage. The modified assay, degree of starch access (DSA, g/kg starch), was used to evaluate starch recovery by enzymatic hydrolysis in gelatinized undried, unground corn grains and corn silages, which differed in particle size, dry matter content and endosperm type. Effects of particle size (370, 500, 640, 1100, 3140 and 4000μm) of corn grains, which are known to influence starch digestion in ruminants, were evaluated. For each 100μm increase in particle size, DSA decreased (P<0.001) 26.8g/kg starch. In high-moisture corn grain, for each 10g/kg fresh matter increase in DM content, DSA decreased 20.0g/kg starch (r 2 =0.76). In corn grain of differing endosperm vitreousness (0g/100g versus 100g/100g endosperm) DSA values were approximately 200g/kg starch higher for corn grain with no vitreous endosperm as compared to corn grain with highly vitreous (100g/100g) endosperm. For corn silage, DSA was positively correlated to latent starch and starch retained on screens < 2.38mm. While no comparisons between DSA and in vivo starch digestibility exist, the DSA assay may be useful as an index for evaluating differences in starch digestion potential of corn and corn silage fed to ruminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents abstracts of several studies on animal nutrition. "Effects of Phase Feeding of Protein on Performance, Blood Urea N, Manure N:P Ratio, and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Cattle," by J. T. Vasconcelos et al; "Influence of Sodium Caseinte Infusion on Voluntary Feed Intake and Digestive Function in Steer Calves Fed a Sudangrass-Based Growing Diet," by E. G. Alvarez and R. A. Zinn; "Feedlot Cattle Responses to Reduced Levels of Degradable Protein," by J. W. Lehmkuhler, S. C. Arp and D. M. Schaefer.

Presents abstracts of several studies on animal nutrition. "Effects of Phase Feeding of Protein on Performance, Blood Urea N, Manure N:P Ratio, and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Cattle," by J. T. Vasconcelos et al; "Influence of Sodium Caseinte Infusion on Voluntary Feed Intake and Digestive Function in Steer Calves Fed a Sudangrass-Based Growing Diet," by E. G. Alvarez and R. A. Zinn; "Feedlot Cattle Responses to Reduced Levels of Degradable Protein," by J. W. Lehmkuhler, S. C. Arp and D. M. Schaefer.

Presents abstracts of several studies on animal nutrition. "Effects of Phase Feeding of Protein on Performance, Blood Urea N, Manure N:P Ratio, and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Cattle," by J. T. Vasconcelos et al; "Influence of Sodium Caseinte Infusion on Voluntary Feed Intake and Digestive Function in Steer Calves Fed a Sudangrass-Based Growing Diet," by E. G. Alvarez and R. A. Zinn; "Feedlot Cattle Responses to Reduced Levels of Degradable Protein," by J. W. Lehmkuhler, S. C. Arp and D. M. Schaefer.