The effects of long-term plant nutrition applications on the quality of maize (Zea mays L.) grain

Achieng, J.O., Ouma, G., Odhiambo, G. and Muyekho, F. 2010. Effect of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers on maize production on Alfisols and Ultisols in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 1(4): 430–439. Anonymous 2021. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance. Director of Economics and Statistics, Department of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 1–272. Anonymous 2022. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Anonymous 2023. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Arnon, D.I. 1949. Copper enzyme in isolated chloroplast, polyphenoloxydase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiology 24: 1–15. Biradar, A. and Jayadeva, H.M. 2013. Influence of targeted yield approach on yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics of maize. Madras Agricultural Journal 100: 146– 149. Chandrawanshi, A., Bagri, P.K. and Karade, R. 2024. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change Volume 14(3): 630–637. Goyal, M., Sepat, S., Kaur, R. and Kumar, M. 2024. Assessment of sowing dates and spacing for indogangetic plain zone kharif maize (Zea mays) cultivars to achieve higher productivity in Western IGP. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 384–390. Jat, M.K., Purohit, H. S., Singh, B., Garhwal, R. S. and Choudhary, M. 2013. Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 543–547. Lavanya, Y., Srinivasan, K. and Muraliarthanari, P. 2024. Impact of weed management strategies on weeds and nutrient uptake of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 391–396. Madhavi, A., T. Srijaya, P. Babu, S. and Dey, P. 2020. Popularization of STCR Targeted Yield for Optimum Fertilizer Use and Enhanced Yields of Maize Crop through Field Level Demonstrations. International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 9(8): 2,209–2,214. Meena, B.P., Kumar, A., Meena, S.R., Dhar, S., Rana, D.S. and Rana, K.S. 2013. Effect of sources and levels of nutrients on growth and yield behavior of popcorn (Zea mays) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) sequence. Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 474–479. Muttappanavar, R.K., Chandrashekara, C.P. and Potdar, M.P. 2022. Growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by nutrient management through soil test crop response (STCR) approach at varied Soil Fertility Gradients in Vertisols. Biological Forum–An International Journal 14(2): 1,314–1,322. Parasuraman P. 2008. Studies on integrated nutrient requirement of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated conditions. Madras Agricultural Journal 92(1 and 3): 89–94. Perli, V.H., Tommar, S.S., Kasi, R.G., Deepsikha and Kaushik, M. 2022. Influence of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(6): 141–144. Raghuramakrishnan, M., Sankaran, V.M. and Ramesh, P.T. 2021. Effect of micronutrients and STCR based macronutrients on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of hybrid maize. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(11): 251–225. Rawat, S., Singh, R.K., Singh, P., Upadhyay, P.K., Shekhawat, K., Sangwan, S., Dash, S., Mondal, B.K. and Shukla, R. 2024. Different nitrogen levels with nano and prilled urea spray on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) in alfisols of Jharkhand. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(3): 326–329. Reddy, T.Y. and Reddi, G.H.S. 2001. Principle of agronomy, Kalyani Publishe, Ludhiana. Sahoo, P., Singh, T., Saini, K.S. and Kaur, J. 2024. Effect of residue incorporation and INM on productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) in rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 94(1): 080–085. Shah, S.T.H., Zamir, M.S.I., Waseem, M., Ali, A., Tahir, M. and Khalid, W.A. 2009. Growth and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen. Pakistan Journal of Life Social Science 7(2): 108–111. Shekhawat, A.S., Purohit, H.S., Jat, J., Doodwal, K., Aechra, S., Sharma, J.K. and Bamboriya, J.S. 2021. Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) on typic Haplustepts of Rajasthan. Annals of Plant and Soil Research 23(4): 407–410. Singh, S., Kumar, M. and Singh, V. 2025. Effect of zinc and boron on growth, productivity and quality of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 70(1): 34–40. Singh, V.Y., Singh, P., Meena, R.N. and Singh, S. 2020. Fertilizer economy through under soil-test crop response targeted yield model in maize crop in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 9(1): 481–483. Singh, Y.V., Bharteey, P.K. and Singh, S.K. 2023. Impact of nutrient management technologies on maize under irrigated Conditions in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh. Environment and Ecology 41(3A): 1,606–1,612 Wailare, A.T. and Kesarwani, A. 2017. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) as well as soil physico-chemical properties. Biomedica Journal of Scientific and Technical Research 1(2):294–299.

Achieng, J.O., Ouma, G., Odhiambo, G. and Muyekho, F. 2010. Effect of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers on maize production on Alfisols and Ultisols in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 1(4): 430–439. Anonymous 2021. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance. Director of Economics and Statistics, Department of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 1–272. Anonymous 2022. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Anonymous 2023. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Arnon, D.I. 1949. Copper enzyme in isolated chloroplast, polyphenoloxydase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiology 24: 1–15. Biradar, A. and Jayadeva, H.M. 2013. Influence of targeted yield approach on yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics of maize. Madras Agricultural Journal 100: 146– 149. Chandrawanshi, A., Bagri, P.K. and Karade, R. 2024. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change Volume 14(3): 630–637. Goyal, M., Sepat, S., Kaur, R. and Kumar, M. 2024. Assessment of sowing dates and spacing for indogangetic plain zone kharif maize (Zea mays) cultivars to achieve higher productivity in Western IGP. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 384–390. Jat, M.K., Purohit, H. S., Singh, B., Garhwal, R. S. and Choudhary, M. 2013. Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 543–547. Lavanya, Y., Srinivasan, K. and Muraliarthanari, P. 2024. Impact of weed management strategies on weeds and nutrient uptake of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 391–396. Madhavi, A., T. Srijaya, P. Babu, S. and Dey, P. 2020. Popularization of STCR Targeted Yield for Optimum Fertilizer Use and Enhanced Yields of Maize Crop through Field Level Demonstrations. International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 9(8): 2,209–2,214. Meena, B.P., Kumar, A., Meena, S.R., Dhar, S., Rana, D.S. and Rana, K.S. 2013. Effect of sources and levels of nutrients on growth and yield behavior of popcorn (Zea mays) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) sequence. Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 474–479. Muttappanavar, R.K., Chandrashekara, C.P. and Potdar, M.P. 2022. Growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by nutrient management through soil test crop response (STCR) approach at varied Soil Fertility Gradients in Vertisols. Biological Forum–An International Journal 14(2): 1,314–1,322. Parasuraman P. 2008. Studies on integrated nutrient requirement of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated conditions. Madras Agricultural Journal 92(1 and 3): 89–94. Perli, V.H., Tommar, S.S., Kasi, R.G., Deepsikha and Kaushik, M. 2022. Influence of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(6): 141–144. Raghuramakrishnan, M., Sankaran, V.M. and Ramesh, P.T. 2021. Effect of micronutrients and STCR based macronutrients on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of hybrid maize. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(11): 251–225. Rawat, S., Singh, R.K., Singh, P., Upadhyay, P.K., Shekhawat, K., Sangwan, S., Dash, S., Mondal, B.K. and Shukla, R. 2024. Different nitrogen levels with nano and prilled urea spray on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) in alfisols of Jharkhand. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(3): 326–329. Reddy, T.Y. and Reddi, G.H.S. 2001. Principle of agronomy, Kalyani Publishe, Ludhiana. Sahoo, P., Singh, T., Saini, K.S. and Kaur, J. 2024. Effect of residue incorporation and INM on productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) in rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 94(1): 080–085. Shah, S.T.H., Zamir, M.S.I., Waseem, M., Ali, A., Tahir, M. and Khalid, W.A. 2009. Growth and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen. Pakistan Journal of Life Social Science 7(2): 108–111. Shekhawat, A.S., Purohit, H.S., Jat, J., Doodwal, K., Aechra, S., Sharma, J.K. and Bamboriya, J.S. 2021. Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) on typic Haplustepts of Rajasthan. Annals of Plant and Soil Research 23(4): 407–410. Singh, S., Kumar, M. and Singh, V. 2025. Effect of zinc and boron on growth, productivity and quality of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 70(1): 34–40. Singh, V.Y., Singh, P., Meena, R.N. and Singh, S. 2020. Fertilizer economy through under soil-test crop response targeted yield model in maize crop in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 9(1): 481–483. Singh, Y.V., Bharteey, P.K. and Singh, S.K. 2023. Impact of nutrient management technologies on maize under irrigated Conditions in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh. Environment and Ecology 41(3A): 1,606–1,612 Wailare, A.T. and Kesarwani, A. 2017. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) as well as soil physico-chemical properties. Biomedica Journal of Scientific and Technical Research 1(2):294–299.

The storage of grains under technical conditions in favorable environment ensures grain quality and regulates the supply of raw material for food production. For this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate the different forms of storage (aerated silo, non-aerated silo, silo bags and airtight) of grains produced in the Brazilian cerrado, over time (zero, three and six months), for different physical qualities of maize (normal grains, whole grains and broken grains). The research was conducted at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Chapadão do Sul Campus (CPCS), Grain Postharvest Laboratory. To determine the physical-chemical quality and the physical properties of grains over six months, samples were taken from the stored lots. Analysis of variance and comparison of means by Tukey's test were conducted at 5% probability. The six-month storage time was the main factor contributing to the reduction of the quality of maize grains. Storage alternatives with aeration, non-aeration, bags and airtight environment did not influence the physical properties of maize grains. The broken maize grains showed the worst physical and chemical quality during storage time, while the batch of whole corn grains differ in quality during storage. It was concluded that airtight storage and storage in aerated silos were the conditions that best preserved the physical and chemical quality of maize grains over time.

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2015 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to study the effect of planting methods (flat, ridge and bed) and five nitrogen levels (0, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg N h -1 ) on the quality of maize. Among different planting methods, bed planting produced significantly higher yield of Kharif maize as compared to flat sowing method. Maximum grain yield of 58.5 q ha -1 was recorded in bed planting methods which was statistically at par with ridge sowing method (57.3 q ha -1 ) but was significantly higher than that recorded under flat sowing (52.6 q ha -1 ). Similar trend was recorded in stover yield. Different planting methods did not significantly influence the protein content, total sugars, starch content, oil content, β-carotene, total carotenoids and total minerals in maize grains. Among nitrogen levels, 150 kg N ha -1 gave significantly higher grain yield over 120, 90 and control but at par with 180 kg N ha -1 . Similar trend was also observed in stover yield. However; application of 180 kg N ha -1 recorded significantly higher protein content and total minerals than all the nitrogen levels except 150 kg ha -1 . Application of 180 kg N ha-1 recorded low total sugars than other nitrogen level but it was at par with 150 kg N ha -1 .

The use of carbon‐based biostimulants (e.g., humic acid [HA] and molasses/yeast extract [MYE]) to enhance grain yield and/or quality of maize ( Zea mays L.) and soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is increasing. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if MYE or HA use can consistently influence grain yield and quality of maize and soybean across site‐years and (2) ascertain if these applications are profitable. Treatments consisted of an untreated control and two commercially available products, one MYE and one HA, applied as either a broadcast soil application or to the seed furrow at planting of maize and soybean in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Maize yield was higher with in‐furrow applications compared to preplant broadcast applications, culminating in a 3‐year average yield increase of 310 (HA) or 370 (MYE) kg ha −1 and respective return on investment of $29 or $63 ha −1 . Maize grain protein concentration increased with both the broadcast HA (+1.7 g kg −1 ) and in‐furrow MYE (+1.8 g kg −1 ) applications, netting an increase in protein production of 40 and 50 kg ha −1 , respectively. Conversely, there were no consistent effects of HA or MYE applications on soybean grain yield or quality, netting an average loss of $51 ha −1 . These data suggest that soil‐applied MYE or HA can increase grain yield, protein production, and profitability of maize but did not have a measurable agronomic or economic value when applied to soybean grown under the non‐stressed field conditions observed here.

The aim of study was to evaluate merchantability quality of stored maize in triple bagging with biopesticides. Maize grains were collected in March 2016 in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. The fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens were collected and dried in sunlight for 7 days in the center of Cote d'Ivoire. Triple bags were bought in Abidjan market. All this material was sent to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, to perform the experiment. Ten treatments were obtained for the experimentation. The first treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a polypropylene bag. The second treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a PICS bag. The other eight treatments were carried out with PICS bags each containing 50 kg of maize grain and different proportions of chopped leaves Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens. A central composite design was used for sample constitution. Thus, a control group with polypropylene bags (TPPB0), a control group in PICS bags without biopesticides (TPB0) and 8 experimental lots of triple bags noted TB1 containing 0.625 kg L. multiflora and 0.625 kg H. suaveolens, TB2 with 0.40 kg of L. multiflora and 1.60 kg of H. suaveolens, TB3 with 1.60 kg of L. multiflora and 0.40 kg of H. suaveolens, TB4 with 0.10 kg of L. multiflora and 0.40 kg of H. suaveolens, TB5 with 0.40 kg of L. multiflora and 0.10 kg of H. suaveolens, TB6 with 2.5 kg of L. multiflora and 2.5 kg of H. suaveolens, TB7 with 1.25 kg of L. multiflora and TB8 with 1.25 kg of H. suaveolens have been used. Changes in moisture, damages and weight losses were studied. The results show moisture levels (from 09.02±0.11% to 12.07± 0.06%), weight loss (from 0.49±0.02% to 2.54±0.07%) and damage (from 0.99±0.02% to 3.96± 0.01%), corn stored in triple bagged bags with different proportions of biopesticide were significantly lower than those recorded in the Polypropylene woven sample bag (TPPB0) and in the triple bagged control bag during the storage period. The results obtained indicate stability in the quality of maize stored for 18 months in triple bagged bags containing different proportions of leaves of L. multiflora and H. suaveolens. A proportion of 5% of the mixture of leaves of L. multiflora and H. suaveolens (2.5 kg of L. multiflora and 2.5 kg of H. suaveolens) in triple bagged bags is recommended for a better preservation of the merchantability of the stored maize grains kernels.
 Storage of maize grains in PICS bags with the leaves of L. multiflora and H. suaveolens appears as a method of effective and inexpensive conservation to ensure the merchantability quality of maize.

Effects of combined application of Se and ammonium fertilizers on the growth and nutritional quality of maize in Hg-polluted soil under two irrigation conditions and its health risk assessment

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most essential nutrients affecting the yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.). A field experiment was conducted at the experimental plot of the Department of Agronomy, The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hungary, to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilisation on the yield and quality of maize. The experimental site included four observation plots with a net of 2 × 5 m size. Four N levels of T1, T2, T3, and T4 were sprayed at indicated plants in four replications according to treatment viz. 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1. Nitrogen application in general does not significantly affect maize yield, its components, or grain quality. However, out of the four N treatments, the optimal N application between 50–100 kg N ha−1 potentially increased the yield, also the total expression of protein and starch contents in maize can be achieved with the right amount of N fertiliser, indicating that the treatment could produce a high grain yield as well as high protein and starch contents. Good N fertilising practice will boost the maize's nutritional value and make it more significant in the agriculture in the future. In addition, more research and assessment are essential to acquire the most benefit from the effect of optimal N application on maize yield and quality, and the findings could be beneficial to researchers and growers.

The study on the effect of fertilization on the quality of maize grain was conducted based on continue application of fertilizer for 26 and 36 years in gleyic cambisols. The amounts of protein, starch, fat and amino acid were determined and the amino acid was analyzed by cluster analysis. The results showed: Long-term fertilization 26 years showed that N2K and N2P processing protein content as high as 9.01, 9.01%, lowest comparing CK treatment is 5.52%; all fertilizer treatments reduced the summer maize starch content, including N2PK deal with relatively high starch content is 57.55%; N2K processing crude fat content as high as 5.95%; N2P processing total amino acids and essential amino acid content is the highest, 8.13 and 3.22%, respectively. Long-term fertilization 36 years (2013) summer maize grain each nutrition indicators in line with 26 years change rule.

Quality of maize grains (Variety: Bako Hybrid-660, BH-660) stored in two storage containers (Gombisa and Sacks) for 180 days was studied in two agro ecologies: intermediate (IAE)- and lowland (LAE) of Jimma zone, Ethiopia. Crude protein, crude fat, dry matter, total carbohydrate and ash contents were influenced significantly by storage periods in Gombisa (p<0.05). Crude fat under LAE and ash under both agro-ecologies were also influenced by storage days (p<0.05). There was a significant (p<0.05) effect of storage containers on dry matter and total carbohydrates in the IAE whereas in LAE appeared insignificant (p>0.05). Grains stored in Gombisa under IAE showed significantly lower dry matter and total carbohydrate contents than in Sacks. The study showed maize grain quality deteriorations in Gombisa because of favorable moisture, relative humidity and temperature conditions for maize weevil (Sitophillus zeamais) and angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) attacks during 180 days of storage.Keywords: Agro-ecologies, Chemical composition, Gombisa, Maize grain quality Sack

Unraveling the effects of zinc sulfate nanoparticles and potassium fertilizers on quality of maize and associated health risks in Cd contaminated soils under different moisture regimes

Zinc fertilization influence on maize productivity and grain nutritional quality under integrated soil fertility management in Zimbabwe

A field experiment with spilt plot design was conducted to study the ‘effect of fertility and silicon levels on the nutritional quality of maize’ during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture (RCA), MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The main plot treatments consist of four levels of Compounded NPK fertilizer (F0: Control, F50: 50% RDF, F75: 75% RDF and F100: 100 % RDF) and the sub-plot treatments consist of four levels of soil application of Diatomaceous Earth (Si0, Si100, Si200 and Si300). Pratap Makka-9 of maize variety was used for research purpose. The protein content, protein yield, carbohydrate and energy in maize grain were higher under 100% RDF than other levels of fertilizer. Application of 300 kg Diatomaceous Earth per hectare recorded higher protein content, protein yield, carbohydrate and energy in maize grain over the rest of silicon levels. The crude fat in maize grain was lower in 100% RDF. Application of 300 kg Diatomaceous Earth per hectare recorded lower crude fat in maize grain. Significantly higher protein yield was recorded under the combined application of 100% RDF and 300 kg diatomaceous earth per hectare. However, protein yield was at par in the application of 75% RDF with 300 kg Diatomaceous Earth per hectare and 100% RDF with 200 kg Diatomaceous Earth per hectare. The lowest crude fat was recorded under the combined application of 100% RDF and 300 kg Diatomaceous Earth per hectare over the rest of treatment combinations. Application of 100% RDF with 300 kg DE ha-1 (F100Si300) was recommended treatment for nutritional high quality maize grain.

Increasing soil N fertility has been found to have detrimental effects on the nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) grain; however, little research has evaluated the effects of irrigation on these factors. Most previous work has been done with inbred lines rather than high‐yielding commercial hybrids. This study was conducted to determine how irrigation and soil N levels would affect the content of protein and lysine plus the quality of maize protein as measured by the lysine in protein (LP). Two water regimes and five soil N levels were applied to two normal and two opaque‐2 commercial hybrids grown on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam soil (fine, montmorillinitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll). The hybrid ✕ year interaction indicated that in 1985 and 1987 the short‐season opaque‐2 hybrid (SO) had a greater yield than the short‐season normal hybrid (SN) by ≈8%, whereas the long‐season normal hybrid (LN) had a greater yield than the long‐season opaque‐2 hybrid (LO) by 4 to 12%. In 1986, normal and opaque‐2 hybrids produced similar yields. Irrigation increased yield, decreased protein content (PT) 5 to 7 g kg‐1, and increased LP by 1 to 2 g kg−1 in 1985 and 1986. Irrigation also decreased lysine in sample (LS) 0.3 g kg−1 for opaque‐2 grain. Conversely, increasing soil N levels increased yield, PT, and LS, while LP decreased quadratically from 0.39 to 0.36 % kg−1. Grain yield was maximized by production of LN hybrids with irrigation and high soil N levels. The highest PT levels were produced with normal hybrids with high soil N levels without irrigation. Grain produced by opaque‐2 hybrids under low soil N conditions without irrigation had the best protein quality as indicated by LP. Results from the study indicate that both grain yield and nutritional quality are influenced by hybrid selection, irrigation, and N fertilization, which should be considered by producers of nonruminant livestock.

Effect of fertilizers enriched with bio-based carriers on selected growth parameters, grain yield and grain quality of maize (Zea mays L.)