Abstract
The relationship between the development of kernel and the morphology of hull, and SiO2 contents of hull were investigated on the grains with different degrees of repening. The results are as follows. 1. Weight of kernel and hull differed depending on the kernel quality among the grains on the primary branches, and both of them were larger in the following order; perfect kernel-grain>milky-white kernel-grain>opaque kernel-grain>abortive grain. These results show that the development of the hull and kernel is bigger in well-developed grains, and that the development of the two relate well with each other. 2. The amount of SiO2 in the hull was higher in well-developed grains. 3. Occurrence of malformed-hull grains was more in the grains with inadequate ripening. More than 70% of the grains with a specific gravity below 1.00 were malformed-hull grains. 4. Malformed-hull grains also occurred more in the grains on the secondary branches than in those on the primary branches. These results strongly suggest the development of the kernel is closely related to the morphology and function of hull. Therefore more attention has to be paid to decrease the malformed hull for increasing percentage of ripened grains.
