New Variety of Glutinous Corn: Jingke Nuo 2000

The new glutinous corn variety “Jingke Nuo 2000” was developed by the Corn Research Center of the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. This variety can be planted in both spring and summer in Beijing and surrounding areas. The optimal planting density is 3000-3500 plants per acre. It is important to plant glutinous corn at least 300-500 meters away from regular corn fields to prevent cross-pollination, which can affect its quality and color.

In the Beijing area, the time to harvest fresh ears is 85 days for spring planting and 80 days for summer planting. The plant grows to a height of 260 cm, with ears positioned 100 cm from the ground. The plants are compact with dark green leaves and are resistant to various diseases, including leaf spots, maize dwarf mosaic virus, and rough dwarf disease. The ears are 25 cm long, with 16-18 rows of kernels. The kernels are deep, white, hard, and of high quality. The average fresh ear weight is approximately 350 grams, with a stable yield of about 900 kg per acre and the potential for yields exceeding 1000 kg per acre in optimal conditions.

Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms (Magnoliophyta)
• Class: Monocots (Liliopsida)
• Order: Poales
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Genus: Zea (Corn)
• Species: Z. mays (Corn)
• Common Name: Sweet Glutinous Corn

Processing Characteristics

1. Processing into Glutinous Rice Products
   “Jingke Nuo 2000” yields about 600 kg of dry kernels per acre, with 100% amylopectin (branched starch) in the kernels. This makes it suitable for processing into glutinous corn starch, which can replace expensive glutinous rice flour in making traditional foods like rice dumplings (tangyuan), sesame candy, and rice cakes.
2. Industrial Uses
   The high-quality glutinous corn starch is ideal for use in modified starch production. Modified starches are widely used as thickeners, emulsifiers, adhesives, and suspending agents in industries such as food, textiles, and paper manufacturing. It also serves as a filler in pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the starch can be cross-linked to create products for water retention, such as absorbents.
3. High-Quality Animal Feed
   The kernels of “Jingke Nuo 2000” contain higher levels of crude protein, crude fat, and lysine compared to regular corn. This makes it ideal for feeding dairy cows, increasing milk production and cream content. It also improves the weight gain of lambs by 20% compared to regular corn. The plant’s large size and thick leaves also make it an excellent source of silage, with high moisture content after maturity, which is easily digestible for livestock.
4. Fresh Consumption
   The fresh ears of “Jingke Nuo 2000” are rich in nutrients, have a long harvest window, and remain tender and flavorful after cooking. The kernels become transparent, soft, and aromatic, maintaining their quality when cooled. It is ideal for fresh consumption, often referred to as a “fruit-type corn.” The fresh ears can be harvested 25-28 days after pollination and are suitable for steaming, freezing, or canning.

Cultivation

1. Seed Selection
   • Seeds should be uniform in size, undamaged, and of high germination quality.
   • The variety should be high-yielding, with suitable sweetness, tenderness, and rich nutrition.
   • Ears should be uniform in size with well-formed, full kernels and thin husks.
   • The growth cycle must suit local climatic conditions.
   • The variety should have strong disease resistance.
2. Soil Selection
   Sweet corn thrives in well-drained, fertile soils with good irrigation capacity. The soil should be evenly fertile, with minimal pest and disease pressures. It is best to rotate crops every two or three years to maintain soil health.
3. Isolation Planting
   To prevent cross-pollination, sweet corn should be planted at least 300-500 meters away from regular corn fields. Additionally, stagger planting times by at least 15 days to avoid overlapping pollination periods.
4. Planting and Seedling Care
   For optimal germination, corn seeds should be planted at a depth of about 4 cm. It is recommended to use seedling trays with high water retention and good ventilation for better seedling growth. In spring, seedlings should be ready in 9-10 days, and in summer or fall, 7-8 days.

Harvesting and Post-Processing

Optimal Harvest Time
For sweet corn, the ideal harvest time is when the kernels are at their sweetest, typically 20-22 days after pollination. After harvesting, corn should be processed or refrigerated within 2 hours to maintain freshness.

Post-Harvest Processing
To preserve the quality of the corn, the processing steps include:

1. Harvesting at the right time (based on kernel appearance and moisture content).
2. Peeling, washing, and removing any defective kernels.
3. Pre-cooking for 25-30 minutes in boiling water to soften the kernels.
4. Quick cooling with cold water to prevent frost during freezing.
5. Packaging and freezing at temperatures as low as -35°C for storage.