The Korean Journal of Crop Science ISSN:0252-9777(Print) 2287-8432(Online) 한국작물학회지

This study was conducted to investigate the ear and kernel characteristics of waxy corn during ripening by double cropping, and to understand the pattern of starch accumulation in endosperm of waxy corn kernels. Chalok4 and Ilmichal were sown at April 20 (first cropping) and July 20 (second cropping) in 2011~2012. The accumulated temperature from silking to harvesting was about 590~63 0°C. It takes 23~24 days when Chalok4 and Ilmichal were sown in April 20, but July 20 sowing takes 32~35 days. Ear length and kernel set length were significantly shorter in second cropping (p<0.05). Kernel length, kernel width, 100-kernel weight, and starch content of waxy corn were increased as ears matured (p<0.05). Growth temperature was getting decreased during the ripening stage of second cropping, the rate of ear and kernel development had slowed. Starch granules started to accumulate in the cells around the pericarp, then developed in the cells around the embryo. In the second cropping, starch granules in the kernel of waxy corn were less compact than the first cropping, harvesting time of waxy corns can be extended. These results will be helpful to farmers for double cropping of waxy corn cultivation and management.