Effects of growth conditions on the physicochemical, mineral, and amino acid profile of polyembryonic maize

Abstract

Background and ObjectiveAmong the methods to improve the quality of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels are crossing with better quality genotypes and agronomic management. In this study, the quality (lipids, proteins, crude fiber, carbohydrates, ashes, minerals, and amino acids) of polyembryonic (PEm) and non‐polyembryonic (NPEm) maize was evaluated in individual plants (IND) as polyembryonic (PE). Three different genotypes (AE = high polyembryony hybrid maize, NAP = normal‐height high polyembryony maize, and CAI = NPEm hybrid) were selected; in addition, maize kernels were obtained under different growing conditions of population density (HD = high density and LD = low density) and fertilization rates (LF = low fertilization (120 N, 60 P, 0 K), and HF = high fertilization (240 N, 90 P, 0 K)).FindingsThe results indicate that PEm has higher protein (10.3%) and fat (7.5%) and lower carbohydrate content (2.0%) than CAI. The highest concentration minerals were P, S, Cl, K, Ca, and Fe in all maize genotypes. In addition, NAP of IND plants had a higher content of Serine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Glutamine and Alanine. On the other hand, in the experiments where the effect of population density and fertilization level was evaluated, it was observed that PEm produced with low population density (LD) presented higher values of ash, fiber and carbohydrate content (1.1, 1.4 and 2.7 %, respectively) and lower fat content (6.0 %). In addition, PEm produced in HD presented higher values of fat, protein, fiber, K, P and S than the control group (CAI). Finally, PEm produced with LF presented higher proportions of fat, protein, fiber, K and P (5.7 %, 8.2 %, 1.1 %, 5.8 mg/100 g and 1.6 mg/100 g, respectively) compared to the control group (CAI). In addition, fertilization was observed to influence carbohydrate content, presenting an increase of up to 24% in HF and 10% in LF.ConclusionThe combined use of corn of polyembryonic genotypes with different agronomic managements such as stocking density (LD and HD) and fertilization rate (LF/HF) during grain production can generate significant changes in grain quality.Significance and NoveltyThe use of polyembryonic maize genotypes is an option to improve grain quality. In addition, the results of this study allowed us to observe the effect of agronomic practices such as planting population density and fertilization rate on different variables of interest for grain quality.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.