Changes in Amylopectin Structure and Pasting Properties of Starch as Affected by Different Transplanting Dates in Rice

Three different transplanting dates for two rice cultivars grown in Daegu, Republic of Korea, were examined to identify the changes in growth, rice quality, and characteristics of amylopectin. An early transplanting date caused a reduction in the number of panicles in both rice cultivars compared to that in the optimal and late transplanting dates. The 1000-grain weight in the two rice cultivars was significantly increased in the late transplanting date. The rice cultivar tolerant to high temperatures, Donganbyeo, exhibited the lowest milky grain rate in the late transplanting date. The highest rate of head grain was observed in the late transplanting date in both rice cultivars. Regarding the pattern of pasting properties, peak viscosity increased with delayed transplanting dates. With respect to changes in the amylopectin branch-chain length distribution, the amylopectin structure of the translucent Dongan rice cultivar transplanted on April 25 was characterized by a significant increase in A chains with DP > 12, and a decrease in long chains $DP{\geq}37$ compared to that transplanted on June 25. In contrast, the amylopectin structure of the chalky Dongan rice cultivar transplanted on April 25 exhibited further decrease in 13 < DP < 19 than that transplanted on June 25. In the Ungwang rice cultivar, the amylopectin structure of the translucent Ungwang rice cultivar transplanted on April 25 and June 25 was characterized by a significant decrease in the lengths of total amylopectin chains. Furthermore, the amylopectin structure of the chalky Ungwangbyeo rice cultivar transplanted on April 25 was characterized by a significant increase in 7 < DP < 30, while a significant decrease was observed in that transplanted on June 25. These results indicate that the amylopectin structure is altered by different transplanting dates depending on the characteristics of the rice cultivar.