Morphological characteristics and chemical components of two corn varieties (oilseed and 704) stalks cultivated in Astara

This study was conducted to determine and compare the morphological characteristics and chemical components of Corn stalks (Zea mays: 704 & Oilseed varieties) cultivated in Astara area. Samples were prepared from both varieties، a part of stalks were selected for chemical components determination and the rest was used to examine the morphological features. The average of fiber length، fiber diameter، lumen diameter and fiber wall thickness for oilseed variety and 704 variety were measured as 0. 859 mm، 23. 63 µm، 16. 62 µm، 3. 51 µm and 0. 727 mm، 18. 77 µm، 11. 39 µm and 3. 7 µm respectively. Average percentage of cellulose، lignin، acetone extractives، alcohol extractives، hot water extractives and ash for oilseed variety was measured as 36. 99، 20. 5، 13. 85، 2. 02، 7. 53 and 6. 71، respectively. Relevant values for 704 varieties were 34. 33، 17. 5، 12. 35، 1. 35، 6. 30 and 5. 55 percent. Fiber dimensions and biometric coefficients between nodes and internodes، and between the varieties were compared and the results showed that there were significant differences between fiber length، fiber diameter، fiber lumen and biometric coefficients. The fiber dimensions and biometric coefficients between nodes and at the internododal sections of both varieties are compared and there was significant difference between all variables. The comparison of chemical components between stalk with and without bark for each variety showed that there were significant differences between the content of cellulose، lignin، hot water extractives and ash. However، there was no significant difference between lignin from 704 varieties. In comparison of chemical components between the two varieties in stalk with bark، there were significant differences between the content of cellulose، lignin، acetone extractives، hot water extractives and ash; whereas in the case of stalk without bark، these differences were significant only for the acetone extractives، hot water extractives and ash.