Study of source material for popcorn breeding by All-Russian Research Institute of Corn

O.V. Terkina, A.N. Romanova

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Abstract. Protein plays a crucial role in human and animal nutrition, so the protein content and composition of grains and their processed products are essential indicators of quality.
Aim. The study is to estimate popcorn lines for their economic value, chemical composition, and the grain technological characteristics, as well as to identify the best lines for creating popcorn hybrids with increased protein and oil content.
Materials and methods. The experiment involved 22 lines of various maturity groups (FAO 200, 300, 400, and 500) from the Institute’s collection. The popcorn variety is represented by pearl corn subspecies. The source material differs in grain color: white and yellow. Significant differences in plant height and the height of attachment of the upper commercially viable ear were found in FAO groups 400 and 500 (from 175 to 200 cm and from 70 to 94 cm). Differences in 1,000-kernel weight and ear length were observed with increasing FAO group (106–200 g and 11.0–16.0 cm). The protein and oil content of popcorn seed material are determined by near-infrared spectroscopy using an Infra LUM FT-12 analyzer. Samples of popcorn lines from different maturity groups were analyzed: 5 mid-early, 7 mid-season, 4 mid-late, and 6 late-season. The CMEA International Classification of Zea mays L. species, 1997, is used to assess the chemical composition of the corn grain.
Results. The article presents the results of research on the source material of popcorn in the foothill zone of the Stavropol Territory in the experimental field of the All-Russian Research Institute of Corn. Most of the lines (77 %) have been distinguished by average protein content. The maximum percentage of protein (15.3 %) has been found in the mid-late line RD 0686 (FAO 400). The mid-early line RD 1666 had a high protein content (12.9 %). In terms of oil content, most lines (95%) had an average value, and only 4.5 % had a low value. Average percentage of oil content has been recorded in lines of the mid-early, mid-season, and mid-late maturity groups. The volume increase coefficient of the best lines varies from 1:15 to 1:22.
Conclusions. Analysis of chemical composition data allows for identifying the best bursting lines across various maturity groups, with high protein and oil content, enabling breeding for hybrids with enhanced grain chemical properties (protein and oil).

Keywords: popcorn, self-pollinated lines, variation parameters, technological qualities of grain, protein, oil, coefficient of volume increase (CVE) of grain during roasting

For citation. Terkina O.V., Romanova A.N. Study of source material for popcorn breeding by All-Russian Research Institute of Corn. News of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 2. Pp. 66–74. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-2-66-74

©   Terkina O.V., Romanova A.N., 2026

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Information about the authors

Olga V. Terkina, Senior Researcher, Department of Selection, All-Russian Research Institute of Corn;
14o Yermolova street, Pyatigorsk, 357528, Russia;
kukuruza.ekologiya.14@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4733-5719, SPIN-code: 9426-6185
Anna N. Romanova, Junior Researcher, Department of Breeding, All-Russian Research Institute of Corn;
14o Yermolova street, Pyatigorsk, 357528, Russia;
selektsiya.kukuruza@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-7093, SPIN-code: 3005-8930

Funding

The study was performed without external funding.