Yield, Tryptophan and Lysine Content of Two Quality Protein Maize Varieties in Two Luvisols with Bio Fertilization in Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

This work was carried out in Yucatan Mexico aiming to evaluate the yield performance, Tryptophan (Trp) and Lysine (Lys) contents of two quality protein maize varieties (Sac Beh and Chichen Itza) growing in two Luvisols with low (Lot 1) and high (Lot 2) intensive agricultural use. Six treatments resulted from combining the two varieties with chemical fertilizers (60-80-00):(N-P205-K2O) alone or supplemented with biofertilizers (60-80-00 + Mycorrhizae + Azospirillum) and the control (00-00-00). The variables were: yield (t·ha?1), Trp, Lys (g of amino acid/100 g of protein), Ashes (%) and Crude Protein (%). A Randomized block design was used with three replications for yield, ashes and crude protein and two replications for Trp and Lys. Statistical differences were found only in ashes. Regardless of the intensive soil use both varieties showed good yields, ranging from 5.0 to 6.5 t·ha?1. Higher yields were documented in the low intensive use Luvisol (Lot 1). The higher yields, in Lot 1, were obtained with (T Chem-Bio) whilst in Lot 2 was with (T Chem). Yields increased with the application of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with biofertilizers but the amount of Trp and Lys decreased. Sac Beh showed to have better protein quality than Chichen Itza but none of them reached the optimal ranges reported in the literature, so more evidence is required to start with a plan to rescue and maintain the protein quality of both varieties.