Assessment of Agricultural Practices in Maize Crops (Zea mays) Based on Elemental Profile and Chemometrics Analysis

Abstract

In this work the effects produced by two treatments on maize crop samples have been studied. Analysis of maize grain based on two types of agronomical conditions was performed on: (a) lots treated with different fertilizers and (b) lots with different crop density. Analysis was carried out by microwave induced plasma with optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES) and included the quantification of 11 elements: Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn. With the purpose of understand the effect of agricultural practices on elemental profile, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used as chemometrics tools, finding a correct grouping of each crop based on the type of treatment. The obtained models can be useful to evaluate agricultural strategies, as well as for determining potential yields in maize crops.