Evaluation of Eight Genotypes of Corn for the Commercial Cultivation of Huitlacoche in Nopalucan, Puebla, Mexico

Omar Garcilazo Rahme,Omar Romero Arenas,Isaac Tello Salgado,Conrado Parraguirre Lezama,Maria De Los Angeles Valencia De Ita,Gerardo Mata

doi:10.3390/agriculture10110535

Abstract

The infection caused by Ustilago maydis, commonly called huitlacoche, appears in regions of Mexico that produce corn (Zea mays) during seasonal conditions. The infection leads to form galls with high levels of proteins, amino acids, and minerals, providing important benefits to nutrition, and it is also becoming relevant due to its high commercial value, becoming a potential crop for Mexico, Central America, and the United States. The objectives of the present investigation are to evaluate the potential yield per hectare (Kg ha−1) based on the incidence percentage (PI), and severity index (ISE) in eight genotypes of corn, as well as performing proximal chemical analysis and mineral element analysis with the galls obtained via inoculation of the MA-Um1 strain of U. maydis. The experimental unit is made up of eight subgroups of 250 plants here, considering four hybrid and four Creole genotypes of corn used by producers in open fields in Nopalucan, Puebla, Mexico. The Creole creamy-white corn achieved the highest production of huitlacoche (12,759.21 Kg ha−1) here, obtaining an incidence percentage of 73.90%; the highest caloric content (39.90 Kcal per 100 g of fresh mushroom) was recorded in the galls produced from the Asgrow Hawk hybrid, while the highest concentration of zinc (2.33 mg per 100 g) was presented by the AS-722 hybrid.

Highlights

The dimorphic biotrophic fungi Ustilago maydis is the cause of the disease known as corn charcoal [1]
The Asgrow Hawk hybrid obtained the highest concentration of Ca (25 mg per 100 g)
(12,759.21 Kg ha−1 ), representing 43% of galls with a severity measurement (SEVi) value of 4 and with 30% with a SEVi value of 5, followed by the Asgrow Hawk hybrid with 11,670.3 Kg ha−1, representing 74% of galls with a SEVi value of 4, which was explained by the higher incidence rates (PI) of 73.90% and 77.38% and the severity index (ISE) values of 64.14% and 59.41%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

The dimorphic biotrophic fungi Ustilago maydis is the cause of the disease known as corn charcoal [1]. Agriculture 2020, 10, 535 food is concentrated in the months of July and August, obtaining between 300 and 500 tons per year, where production is concentrated in the center of Mexico [6,7,8,9]. Studies conducted recently have focused on artificial infection, with galls induced by injection with a concentrated suspension of teliospores or basidiospores in the silk channel [9]. Inoculation is more effective during the emergence of the silk channel (8 to 14 days), presenting more serious infections of U. maydis at four and eight days after the appearance of the silk channel for 50% of the inoculated plants [9,10]. The suggested inoculation period for selective production is two to four days after the appearance of the silk channel [11]

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion