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Variation of starch granule size in tropical maize germ plasm

Granule size is an important characteristic of starch that can influence its functional and wet-milling extraction properties. Genetic variation for granule size has been found among maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes possessing single gene mutations affecting starch synthesis. In a previous study, 35 tropical and semitropical maize populations were examined for starch thermal properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these same populations for starch granule diameter using a laser light scattering technique. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences were seen among the populations for mean granule diameter. Granule mean and mode diameter ranges were 16.2-18.2 μm and 14.2-16.8 μm, respectively. Although ranges in mean granule diameter were not as large as those seen among mutant maize genotypes, they were greater than those of a group of normal (nonmutant) hybrids. Highly significant differences were also seen among ears within the populations. With few exceptions, mean granule diameter values varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) within each of the populations, while the mode values varied to a lesser extent. NALTEL AM.T.B GUA220, an early maturing population from Central America, had the largest granule mean diameter (18.2 μm) and the highest gelatinization onset (T 0 ), peak (T p ), and conclusion (T c ) temperature. A correlation analysis between mean and mode granule diameter values and thermal properties (T 0 , T p , and T c ) revealed several highly significant positive correlations.