Specialty Corns PDF

Preface

Preface Corn is one of the major cereal grains grown in the world, exceeded only by rice and wheat in terms of quantity produced. In the U.S., corn is produced on 70 to 80 million acres annually and plays an important role in the economy of the country. Hybrid corn was introduced in the U.S. in the 1930s, and average production per unit area increased from 35 bushels per acre for the period of 1945 to 1950 to more than 120 bushels per acre for the decade of the 1990s. In 1998, corn growers in the U.S. produced 9.77 billion bushels with an average yield of 134 bushels per acre. Nearly 60% of the increase in yield was because of genetic improvement of hybrids.

Over 95% of the corn produced in the U.S. is marketed as commodity corn, which is primarily yellow dent corn. Commodity corn is fed to livestock (55%), is exported (29%) and largely used for feed, is used in wet milling (12%), and is used in dry milling (4%). Although a typical supermarket displays over 1200 items that include one or more ingredients from corn, less than 5% of the total U.S. corn production is marketed as specialty corns. Several distinct types of specialty corns are available (popcorn, sweet corn, high-protein quality corn, high waxy corn, high oil corn, etc.), but individually each has less than 1% of the total corn market. Alternative uses of the corn that can be produced in large quantities in the U.S. would have broad implications in the economy of the nation and for the individual grower.

Greater emphasis is being given to the development of new processes and new products to enhance the value of corn. One new use for corn in recent years has been the extraction of ethanol for use as corn-based fuels for cars and trucks. About 600 million bushels of corn in the U.S. are converted to ethanol each year, adding at least 30 cents greater return per bushel of corn and greater returns for the producer.

Development of superior specialty corns that have consistent performance in quality and in quantity has not received the same emphasis in genetics and breeding that has been given to the yellow dent corns. Each specialty corn has traits that require special emphasis, but the basic germplasm and breeding methods used to improve yellow dent corn often are used in development of improved specialty corns. However, because of the standards required for specialty corns, methods of development and improvement are usually more complex than those for yellow dent commodity corn. The same standards of performance are desired, but the genetics of the specialty traits often are in conflict with the standards used for yellow dent corns.

Specialty corn programs have unique characteristics that require careful handling and monitoring during their development for specific needs. The objective of this volume is to provide a summary of the germplasm, methods of development, and specific problems involved for some specialty corns. Chapters on development of blue corn and baby corn are new to the Second Edition. Although blue corn and baby corn have specific niche markets, they are becoming more recognized in the human diets, especially for specific ethnic groups. Two chapters provide an introduction of the kernel mutants and of the different types of starch modifications available in corn to illustrate the variation in properties of the corn kernel. Eight chapters provide detailed descriptions of the germplasm and methods used to develop value-added corns that are related to food and feed uses. One chapter summarizes the processes used for food products derived from corn. The last three chapters describe methods used to develop corn for manufacture of pipes, corn for silage, and corns for temperate areas. Some traditional markets of yellow dent corn other than for feed or for export - ethanol, corn sweeteners, and corn starches - were not addressed in this volume. Most chapters have been revised to include the latest information and more recent references; exceptions were the chapters on high amylose and waxy corn and breeding white endosperm corn. Only minor revisions were included in the chapter on high quality protein corn. It is our desire that the information provided will serve as a guide and reference to those engaged in development of specialty corns and to those that are considering the possibilities of initiating specialty corn programs. U.S. corn producers have become extremely proficient at producing more grain per unit area, but profit margins continue to decrease. Adding value either via alternative products from the large volumes of grain produced or development of specialty corns is of interest to producers and processors. We hope the revised edition can enhance the future uses of corn.

I wish to thank the contributing authors for their tireless efforts, their cooperation in preparing and revising manuscripts, and their patience during the completion of the volume