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Figure 5. Predicted effects of altering oil or protein (grain) or lignin (stover) on bioproductivity in maize. Starting composition for grain was taken as 90 g kg–1 protein, 40 g kg–1 oil, 20 g kg–1 ash, and by subtraction, 850 g kg–1 carbohydrates (starch and fiber). Initial composition for stover was 730 g kg–1 carbohydrates, 180 g kg–1 lignin, 40 g kg–1 protein, and 50 g kg–1 ash. Replacement of lignin, oil, or protein only by carbohydrates is assumed. Although oil requires most energy for its synthesis, relatively steeper slopes for lignin and protein are a result of their higher initial amounts (180 and 90 g kg–1, respectively, compared with 40 g kg–1 for oil) in the respective tissues.
