Relation of kernel hardness and lysine to alcohol-soluble protein composition in quality protein maize hybrids

High-lysine opaque-2 (o2) maize is floury, but quality protein maize (QPM) o2 hybrids have harder endosperm. Kernel density, vitreosity, weight, grinding time, and lysine content were related to protein compositions in o2×QPM crosses. Density distributions of Mo17 o2×Pool 29 QPM and B73 o2× Population 61 QPM differed from F 2 to F 3 and with direction of cross. Kernels with paternal QPM (one dose) were denser than reciprocal (two QPM doses) crosses. Density correlated with vitreosity in F 2 and F 3 Kernel. Grinding time correlated with density and vitreosity