Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Endosperm Composition and Eating Quality of Rice Varieties with Different Protein Components

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizer affects rice endosperm protein, which in turn affects rice taste. However, study of nitrogen regulation of protein components is not sufficient. To clarify the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on rice protein components and related traits, we used two high albumin content and two low glutelin content rice varieties as test materials and analyzed the relationship between protein components and rice eating quality. The results showed that nitrogen application significantly affected prolamine and glutelin contents; moreover, a relationship was observed between variety and fertilization level. The protein components of the low glutelin content rice varieties were sensitive to nitrogen treatment; the albumin and globulin contents increased, whereas the prolamine and glutelin contents decreased following treatment with medium level nitrogen. Nitrogen treatment also significantly affected the apparent amylose content (AAC) of varieties except Yinguang. The eating characteristics of the high albumin content varieties differed significantly among nitrogen treatments, and the two varieties tasted better following treatment with high concentrations of nitrogen. In conclusion, the short chain of amylopectin in the endosperm had a greater direct effect on taste, but the effect was opposite in the two varieties. Furthermore, globulin was found to affect the taste of low glutelin content varieties.