Effect of nitrogen rates on storage proteins in tainan-white maize population

Abstract

Respones of seed storage protein to nitrogen application were investigated between Taipei and Hwalian populations. The amount of total storage proteins, zeins, Z1 and glutelins were also significantly different among treatments. There were no interaction between nitrogen fertilizer rates and populations. Increase of nitrogen rate would increase the concentration of zeins and glutelins. Concentration of zeins were increased majorly by the increase of 19kD and 22kD of Z1, and there were no change in Z2. The ratio of Z1/Z2 was increased under high nitrogen rates. In addition, albumins and globulins were not significantly different among three nitrogen fertilizer application rates. Concentration of storage proteins in Taipei population were higher than that in Hwalian population. The responses to nitrogen, zeins and Z1 were different between two populations. Concentrations of zeins and Z1 in Taipei population increased to a maximum when the applied nitrogen rate reached 150 kg/ha, but concentration of zeins and Z1 in Hwalian population reached their maximum until nitrogen rate reached 300 kg/ha.