Comparative study of oil content and fatty acid composition in kernels and pollen grains of high oil corn (Zea mays L.) inbreds

Abstract

Kernels and pollen grains of six inbred lines of Zea mays L. were examined in search of a possible correlation between their oil contents and fatty acid composition to find an applicable pollen selection method for quality breeding. The oil contents were determined in both intact kernels and pollen grains and the results suggested that a strong correlation (r = 0.961) exists between kernel and pollen oil content. According to this, selection based on the pollen oil content could result in new inbred lines with improved quality. From the analysis of fatty acid composition, it could be concluded that the fatty acid composition of the kernel oil was very different from the oil extracted from the pollen grains.