Features of corn accessions from the collection of Ustymivka experimental station of plant production for antioxidant properties and valuable economic characteristics

Abstract

Aim – to evaluate corn accessions for antioxidant activity using a test based on the stable DPPH radical and to identify sources of valuable economic characteristics and high antioxidant activity in kernels for heterosis breeding. Results and Discussion. The article covers the results of studying antioxidant activity (AOA) in 178 accessions belonging to seven corn subspecies in 2017-2019. The accessions come from 14 countries, including 120 from Ukraine, and have various pigmentation of kernels. It was found that the antioxidant activity of kernels varied within 22.6-82.7%; the chlorogenic acid equivalent (CGAE) varied within 0.97-2.41 µg/g. Antioxidant activity depends on different factors, including growing conditions, origin, subspecies and grain color. Valuable starting material was selected to create lines and hybrids combining elevated AOA with valuable economic characteristics: high grain yield (SS 390, SS 356, MS 11, SE 406, SE 409, SE 416, RK 540-1 KTs 207-1, KTs 42-3, UP 229, Blondynka (UKR), Blu Corn (MEX)); high weight of 1000 kernels (KTs 807-5, KTs 42-3, KTsS 814-2, KTs 602-2, VN 1 (UKR), Freed White, Z 03-004 (USA)); high kernel number per cob (SS 308, MS 233, KTs 27-5, KTs 11, SE 414, SE 397, UP 208 (UKR)); long cobs (Blu Hopi (MEX)); high cob number per plant (VN 1, KTs 502-1 (Ukraine), Butter and Sugar Corn (USA), TAIL P1 (MEX)). The studied accessions are in the collections of Ustymivka Experimental Station and the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources and can be used by breeders and other consumers in theoretical and practical studies. Conclusions. The presented characteristics of 178 corn accessions in terms of total antioxidant activity revealed variability across accessions belonging to different subspecies from 20% to 82%. AOA depends on different factors, including weather conditions during cultivation, subspecies, and grain color. We selected corn accessions combining high antioxidant activity with high grain productivity, 1000-kernel weight, high kernel number per cob, long cobs, and high cob number per plant. It is expedient to involve corn lines originated from these accessions in the breeding of heterotic hybrids, which will become potential sources of antioxidants in foods.