Corn Journal
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact
"You can see a lot by just looking"-Yogi Berra

Popcorn kernels

11/1/2016

 
​Waxy and amylose corns are specialty corns influenced mostly by single gene mutations.  Popcorn genetics are more complicated, perhaps the consequence of a number of genetic changes that occurred in the early days of corn development in Mexico.  There is evidence that it was used by people in Mexico at least 5500 years ago. A major kernel structural factor causing popping is the ‘flint’ character of a hard pericarp, that is impervious to moisture passage.  Consequently, heating the kernel results in internal steam pressure. As the temperature increases the internal soft starch and protein resulting in a gelatin-like substance.  When the pressure finally breaks through the pericarp, the gelatin expands into a foam.

Pericarp thickness and endosperm starch type are two major characters affecting the successful popping.  Both characters are known to be affected by several genes, some major and some minor.  Other characteristics such as the size of the ‘pop’ are also genetically linked.  There are studies that have associated popping characteristics affected by at least minor genes on each of the 10 chromosomes of corn.
 
Those folks several thousand years ago didn’t need to know about molecular biology to understand the fun of eating popcorn and we really, really appreciate their persistence in passing along this feature of corn.

Comments are closed.

    About Corn Journal

    The purpose of this blog is to share perspectives of the biology of corn, its seed and diseases in a mix of technical and not so technical terms with all who are interested in this major crop. With more technical references to any of the topics easily available on the web with a search of key words, the blog will rarely cite references but will attempt to be accurate. Comments are welcome but will be screened before publishing. Comments and questions directed to the author by emails are encouraged.

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© COPYRIGHT 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact