Corn Grain Quality Research Articles

Saga of Soggy Sauerkraut

The creation of undesirable (soggy) sauerkraut resulted in the loss of $1,000,000 worth of organic sauerkraut in 2022, which prompted a multistep investigation of the cause and potential solution. The cause of this condition has been previously reported as unique fermentation conditions and the lack of key trace nutrients essential for cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) cell wall integrity. Because the condition was limited to organic sauerkraut in 2022, this investigation initially focused on differences in fermentation conditions between organic and conventional sauerkraut. No differences in fermentation conditions accounted for the condition; therefore, attention was focused on analyzing the mineral content of cabbage grown for sauerkraut production that pinpointed a deficiency in critical micronutrients such as iron, copper, manganese, boron, and zinc. This deficiency was traced to the use of poultry manure that was contaminated with glyphosate residue from conventionally fed turkeys and chickens that consumed genetically engineered (GE) feed and used as the fertilizer for organic cabbage production. The presence of glyphosate, a potent mineral chelator and antibiotic, was identified as a significant factor that impairs the absorption and physiological function of essential minerals in the shikimate metabolic pathway whereby cell walls and lignin are produced, thus compromising the structural quality of the sauerkraut. After this discovery, the study progressed to evaluate various remediation strategies aimed at eliminating glyphosate from the soil and restoring nutrient uptake. Corn grain and silage were selected as the test crops for this phase. Among the tested remediation solutions were raw sauerkraut juice containing Lactobacillus plantarum, which is reported to degrade glyphosate in the rumen of dairy cows and two patented proprietary microbial mixtures, PB027 and PB027SK, that degrade glyphosate by all three of the known metabolic pathways. These treatments were specifically formulated to degrade residual glyphosate in the soil. The results showed that these interventions could reduce soil glyphosate levels by 80% to 90% within 6 to 7 months to significantly enhance both the yield and quality of corn grain and silage. The increase in corn grain yield from glyphosate degradation on the Shiocton silt loam soil was 907.89 kg·ha−1 (13.5 bushels/acre). The increase in yield on the irrigated Kidder sandy loam soil was quantified at 726.31 kg·ha−1 (10.8 bushels/acre) for corn grain and 6.62 t·ha−1 (2.68 t/acre) for silage, with an additional improvement in silage feed quality beneficial for milk production. The findings underscore the importance of addressing both micronutrient sufficiency and glyphosate residue in soil to ensure the optimal growth of cabbage and the quality of sauerkraut produced. By successfully identifying manure as a subtle source of nutrient immobilization and implementing effective soil remediation techniques, this research highlights a clear path forward for improving crop yield and quality to ultimately enhance the structural integrity and consumer acceptance of sauerkraut. This study has broader applications for the nutritional content and crop yields of many organic crops that use conventional poultry and animal manures that may contain glyphosate in desiccated plant tissues or GE feeding operations.

Innovative aspects of increasing the yield and quality of corn grain in Western Siberia

The results of three years of research (2021-2023) to study the effectiveness of using growth stimulants on corn when grown for grain are presented. It has been shown that on leached chernozem in two ecological points of the Novosibirsk Ob region TPP “Praktik” of the Novosibirsk region, CJSC breeding plant “Irmen” of the Ordynsky district of the Novosibirsk region, growth stimulants increased the growth rate and development of corn when grown for grain. In experiments, the effect of growth stimulants on the yield and quality of grain of three F1 corn hybrids of early ripening was studied: Kubansky 101, Kubansky 102 and Katerina. Growth stimulants were used by pre-planting seed treatment, spraying in the fourth leaf phase and at the beginning of flowering of corn plants. Growth stimulants increased the yield of corn grain by 33% relative to the control (water) in the hybrid Katerina F1. A significant improvement in the biochemical composition of corn grain was noted with the use of growth stimulants: an increase in protein content by 0.4-0.8%, BEV and fat.

Effects of Non-Allelic Interactions of O2 and SU2 Mutant Genes on Grain Biochemical Composition in Various Corn Inbreds

The use of combinations of non-allelic mutant genes of the maize endosperm structure creates opportunities for improving the quality of corn grain in comparison not only with forms of the common type but also with monogenic endospermic mutants. In this study, the effect of a combination of mutant genes O2 (Opaque-2) and SU2 (Sugary-2) according to the biochemical composition of the grain was studied. For the research, a series of inbreds - carriers of a combination of mutant genes O2SU2, inbreds - carriers of monogenic mutations O2 and SU2, as well as maize inbreds of the common type of two-year reproduction were used. In the experiments, the content of protein, starch, and oil and the main characteristics of their quality were studied. It was found that the inbred carriers of the O2SU2 combination are superior to the inbred carriers of monogenic mutations O2 and SU2 in terms of complex biochemical characteristics. In comparison with mutants O2 they were distinguished by an increased content of protein (by 12.3% on average), amylose in starch (by 38.9% on average), starch digestibility (by 24.4% on average), oil content (by 18.4% on average) and oleate content in oil (by 29.9% on average). In comparison with the carriers of SU2 mutation, they had a higher content of lysine and tryptophan in the total grain protein (on average, by 19.4% & 14.3%, respectively). The main characteristics of grain quality in carriers of a combination of mutant genes O2SU2 were characterized by quantitative variability, which can modify the effect of non–allelic interaction of mutant genes O2 and SU2. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of using non-allelic interactions between the O2 and SU2 mutant genes to improve the quality of corn grain.

Equilibrium Moisture Content and Dioxide Carbon Monitoring in Real-Time to Predict the Quality of Corn Grain Stored in Silo Bags using Artificial Neural Networks

Equilibrium Moisture Content and Dioxide Carbon Monitoring in Real-Time to Predict the Quality of Corn Grain Stored in Silo Bags using Artificial Neural Networks

Enhancement of the mixture quality of corn grains in a single-shaft paddle mixer using DEM simulations

Enhancement of the mixture quality of corn grains in a single-shaft paddle mixer using DEM simulations

Influence of turkey compost on the productivity and quality of corn grain in the foothill zone of the Kabardino-Balkaria

Influence of turkey compost on the productivity and quality of corn grain in the foothill zone of the Kabardino-Balkaria

RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOWING DATE ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MAIZE GRAIN AT R.D.S.C.B TG. MUREŞ

Climate changes, more prominently visible in recent years, have alerted scientific research and, implicitly, the agricultural sector, which is most affected by these changes. Maize, is one of the most widespread field crops in our country, is also the most exposed to atmospheric and soil drought pronounced in the summer months. In this context, we initiated and tested the following experimental variants: earlier sowing, when in the soil, at a depth of 10 cm, 6 °C is achieved, sowing in the optimal period, at 10°C in the soil and sowing after the optimal period, following the evolution of both American and Romanian hybrids. The temperature evolution during the vegetation period of the crop, in the three years of the study, did not show significant differences, the influence on the change in the chemical composition of the grains was not obvious. The evolution of precipitation was fluctuating over months and years. The studies focused on the influence of the sowing season on the production and quality of corn grains in the area of the Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding Târgu Mureș (RDSB Târgu Mureș). According to the data recorded in the 2018-2020 agricultural years, in the geopedological conditions of the Sângeorgiu de Mureș area, the studied hybrids responded well to early sowing, and the composition of the grains did not register substantial changes. The polyfactorial experiment was realized in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 in the experimental field of the Plant Laboratory at RDSCB Târgu Mureș, according to the method of subdivided plots, the first factor the sowing date, with 3 gradations: the first sowing date, an early sowing was realised when 6ºC were recorded in the soil; the 2nd sowing date, an optimal sowing date when 10ºC was achieved in the soil and the 3rd sowing date, two weeks after the 2nd. Factor 2 is represented by the 4 tested corn hybrids.

INFLUENCE OF EXTRA-ROOT NUTRITION ON BIOENERGETIC PRODUCTIVITY OF CORN GRAIN

Maize is a crop with a high yield potential and depends on technologies adapted to the conditions of the region. To form a high yield, the crop needs a balanced diet. One of the most effective means of influencing the yield and quality of corn grain is the application of mineral fertilizers. Foliar fertilization of corn crops can be an effective agronomic measure to stimulatephysiological processes under the influence of growth regulators on the development of corn in the initial stages, providing plants with trace elements during the growing season. Studies have shown that the growth of the leaf surface of plants of maize hybrids increased significantly with the growth and development of plants and reached maximum values before the flowering phase, followed by a slight decrease in the area of the leaf apparatus in subsequent growing seasons. The highest indicators of leaf surface area were observed in the areas where growth stimulant Regoplant and microfertilizer Chelatin Zinc were applied foliarly in the phase of 3-5 leaves of corn. Thus, the leaf area of the middle-early hybrid of maize DKS 3795 was 0,429 m2/plant, which is more than in the control plots by 0,026 m2/plant. Accordingly, the leaf area of the medium-ripe hybrid DKS-3511 was at the level of 0,467 m2/per plant, which is greater than the control plots by 0,035 m2/per plant. One of the ways to increase the efficiency of energy use in the production of crop products is to optimize technological methods and increase the yield per unit area. Energy analysis, which is a concentrated expression of the law of conservation and conversion of energy, allows you to compare energy consumption and energy content (receipt) in the harvest. Energy costs for growing maize hybrid 3511 for grain in control areas (without treatment with drugs) increased to 58,75 GJ, with the introduction of microfertilizers and growth regulators to 70,52 – 75,31 GJ. The energy coefficient was highest in the areas where plant growth stimulant Regoplant and microfertilizer Chelatin Zinc were applied – 1,94.

Quality of corn grains subjected to drying using direct-fired furnace fed with eucalyptus chips and firewood

The objective of this study was to evaluate the drying system using a dryer with furnace automatically fed with eucalyptus chips and another dryer manually fed with eucalyptus firewood, as well as assessing the quality of corn grains. Harvest was mechanically performed and the grains were transported by trucks to the storage unit for drying. Corn grain drying was conducted in mixed-flow dryers with a nominal capacity of 100 tons per hour. For air heating, two direct-fired furnaces were used, one automatically fed with eucalyptus chips and the other manually fed with firewood. Corn grains were evaluated for moisture content, apparent specific mass, thousand-grain weight, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), electrical conductivity and color. Drying corn grains with direct fire using firewood or chips as fuel causes contamination by PAHs. In general, the use of firewood or chips did not influence the quality of thousand-grain weight, apparent specific mass and color, while the use of chips increased electrical conductivity. It is essential that research advances in this subject, prioritizing the contamination of food, with proven carcinogenic activity, which should be treated as a high risk to public health.

Efficacy of encapsulated and non-encapsulated thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris L.) in the control of Sitophilus zeamais and its effects on the quality of corn grains throughout storage

Maize is a cereal widely cultivated and consumed on the planet and, as an agricultural commodity, research strategies addressing productive bottlenecks are then highly appreciated. Among these, pest insects stand out for causing losses both in the field and in warehouses. Thus, thinking about the sustainability of the productive system, there is a need to develop more natural techniques for the management of insects, especially the application of essential oils. Among essential oils, thyme has proven bioactive potentials, however, its application is restricted due to its instability, and thus encapsulation may be a promising alternative for its preservation. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of encapsulated and non-encapsulated thyme essential oil on the mortality and persistence of Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky, 1885) and on the quality parameters of corn grains throughout storage. Thyme essential oil was encapsulated by spray drying and evaluated for chemical composition and encapsulation efficiency. The effects of thyme essential oil application on the mortality and persistence of Sitophilus zeamais were evaluated for 150 days and on the quality of corn grains for 200 days. Insect mortality was dependent on concentration and exposure time, presenting the greatest effect for encapsulated thyme essential oil. Both oils, in all concentrations, showed repellent effect against S. zeamais, except for 1 h of exposure. The application of essential oils did not impact the water content, pH, leached solids, conductivity and staining of corn grains, however, treatments with application of encapsulated essential oil increased acidity and soluble solids content. The application of both thyme essential oils, encapsulated and non-encapsulated, were effective for the control of S. zeamais, without altering the quality characteristics of corn grains.

Canonical interrelationships in morphological characters, yield and nutritional components of corn

The increase in the world population, the need to increase food production, both in quantity and quality, becomes increasingly prominent. The objective of this work was to identify the canonical correlations between yield components, morphological characters, micronutrients, bioactive compounds and amino acids in corn. The experimental design used was a randomized block containing 11 treatments arranged in three replications. The treatments consisted of 11 Top Crosses hybrid genotypes, these being made through crosses directed between a narrow genetic base tester hybrid for specific combining ability with 11 S5 inbred lines. It is inferred that groups considered yield components, secondary traits, bioactive compounds, micronutrients and amino acids are dependent. Promising characters are identified for the corn breeding for high yields, nutritional and energetic quality of corn grains. The indirect selection of grains with additions in essential amino acids can be directed to plants with superiority in height, mass and width of grains, phenols, flavonoids, soluble solids and zinc content.

Exposure of maize bioagrocenoses to diseases at no-till

The yield and quality of corn grain is significantly affected by the infection of plants with diseases of agricultural crops. The susceptibility of corn bioagrocenoses of hybrids ROSS 145 MV, ROSS 140 SV, Povolzhsky 107 SV, Katerina SV, NC Falcon, NC Gitago and Delitop to diseases during their cultivation for grain according to traditional, minimal and no-till technology in the agro-climatic conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region was studied. In the course of research, it was found that the most common diseases of corn due to excessive moisture in the soil and high humidity during the harvest period are mildew on the cob, fusarium on the cob, root and stem rot, dust and blister smut. Under unfavorable harvesting conditions, the incidence can reach 40 %. Under favorable weather conditions, there are isolated cases of plant diseases, regardless of the cultivation technology. To protect the bioagrocenoses of corn, it is necessary to grow disease-resistant hybrids, monitor the rotation of crops in the crop rotation, apply full doses of mineral fertilizers and micronutrients, sow at the optimum time with an appropriate seeding depth, maintain a complex chemical plant protection system, starting with seed dressing. The closest to the requirements are zoned maize hybrids with a short growing season ROSS 145 MV, ROSS 140 SV, Povolzhsky 107 SV and Katerina SV.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ПОЧВЕННОГО ПЛОДОРОДИЯ И УРОЖАЙНОСТИ КУКУРУЗЫ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ СИСТЕМ ОСНОВНОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ

Tillage system is one of the factors that influences crop yield. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of the basic tillage systems on the change in soil fertility, yield and quality of corn grain in the soil and climatic conditions of the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory. The surveys were conducted in 2018–2020 on the experimental fields of the FSBSO “National Center of Grain named after P. P. Lukyanenko”. Soil – chernozems leached. All the experiments were carried out according to the standard methodology. In a stationary experiment, observations were performed to study several tillage practices: conventional tillage (25 cm depth plowing), mulch tillage with soil decompaction (reduced tillage done with a chisel plow to a depth of 32 cm for row crops), mulch tillage (deep tillage is excluded, disking to a depth of 10 cm twice or thrice is used instead). Plowing to a 25 cm depth improves the bulk of the soil in the 0–30 cm layer. However, chiseling to a depth of 32 cm and disking to a depth of 10 cm twice or thrice caused soil compaction. Standard tillage practice led to a decrease in the number of agronomically valuable aggregates (61.1 %) and their water resistance (59.4 %) compared to soil decompaction and minimum-tillage systems. The highest rates of productive moisture reserves were on the plots with traditional tillage and decompaction (140.6 and 141.5 mm, respectively, which is 14.7 % higher compared to the minimum mulching). The studied soil cultivation systems did not affect “1000-grain weight” but significantly affected the yield of grain from one ear (124.3 g) and the number of formed ears per one plant (1.04 pcs.). The corn yield on the fields with traditional and decompaction tillage methods was 56.9 and 55.9 c/ha, respectively; on minimum-tillage system, it decreased by 4.8 %. Protein content in grain harvested from the plots with traditional tillage practice was 11.4 %, which is higher compared to the minimum-tillage system. No significant differences were detected for crude ash and dry matter.

Corn productivity for grain in the short-rotary cultivation of the left bank forest-steppe depending on the fertilizer system

The study was conducted in the subzone of unstable humidification of the Forest-Steppe on chernozem typical low-humus Panfil research station NSC «Institute of Agriculture NAAS».The study was conducted in the subzone of unstable humidification of the Forest-Steppe on chernozem typical low-humus Panfil research station NSC «Institute of Agriculture NAAS».The aim of the research is to establish the influence of the structure, set and placement of field crops in a 4-field crop rotation for 100 % grain saturation on the overall productivity, yield and quality of corn grain in particular.The technology of growing crops in the experiment is generally accepted and recommended for the research area.Varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops entered into the State Register were sown in the experiment. Chemical plant protection products were used for the production of competitive commodity products of cereals.The results of studies conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment, established in 2001, to study crop rotations on typical chernozems of unstable moisture of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe, convincingly show that for highly specialized farms the most rational in this area are 4-field crop rotations. saturation with grain crops (winter wheat peas-corn for spring barley grain) using various fertilizer systems (without fertilizers), mineral (with the introduction of N60P60K60), organo-mineral (NPK + by-products of the predecessor), organic fertilizer systems (by-products of the predecessor)). The grain yield of corn depended on the fertilizer system and was in the range of 5.86–8.30 t/ha. Productivity of crop rotation area for harvesting from 1 ha of arable land with corn for grain in 4-field crop rotation was: grain – 4.54–6.29 tons, fodder units –7.48–10.47 tons; digestible protein – 0.60–0.84 tons. The economic efficiency of growing corn for grain in short-rotation crop rotation, depending on the fertilizer system, is: relatively net profit – 16.04–21.34 thousand UAH/ha, the level of profitability –112 –180 %.

The prospects for no-till in the cultivation of corn for grain

Low-fertile sod-podzolic soils of Chuvashia studied the influence of traditional, minimal and zero tillage on the yield and quality of corn grain. Traditional technology of maize cultivation for grain included disc discarding of stubble of spring wheat to a depth of 4–6 cm, peeling, dumping of plow for 20–22 cm, pre-sowing cultivation for 4–6 cm with simultaneous harrowing, sowing and packing. The system with minimal soil cultivation was based on autumn disking and stubble sinking to a depth of 6–10 cm, spring pre-sowing cultivation for 8– 10 cm and sowing with the Amazone seed drill. At no-till processing in the autumn period, the herbicide was sprayed with a continuous Zero action and a direct sowing of maize by the Amazone complex in the spring. Research conducted on a highly efficient hybrid of the ROSS 199 MV universal direction showed the advantages of no-till of the ground before the minimal and traditional technologies. The coefficient of energy efficiency in this case was 2.11 (with the traditional - 2.02, with the minimum - 2.10), and the profitability level increased by 3.6 and 1.5% compared to traditional and minimal tillage. Biochemical analysis revealed that the corn grain at zero processing is not inferior in quality to the control variant. In all variants of the experiment, 1 kg of grain corresponded to 1.42 feed units and 13.01-13.05 MJ of exchange energy.

Productivity and quality of corn grain depending on doses and frequency of application of silicon-containing preparation

The article presents the studies carried out in 2017 and 2018 in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory on the basis of the Agrotechnological Department of the FSBSI «National Center for Grain named after P.P. Lukyanenko». The purpose of the research was to study the dose and frequency of application of mineral fertilizers with a complex of NanoSilicon microelements, stimulating growth and development of corn and, ultimately, its yield and quality of the obtained products. Two year studies revealed the effectiveness of the positive effect of the studied drug on grain corn in all studied options. It was noted that at low or high doses of its application, a number of indicators that determine the structure of the crop and, ultimately, yield, decreased. It was found that foliar treatments increased the growing season of corn for a day. The introduction of the preparation promoted the formation of taller plants, the height of which varied from 201,3 to 212,4 cm, while in the control it was 184 cm (milk ripeness phase). In the same phase the plants had a large biological weight, which in the control was 1010,1 g/plant, and when the preparation was applied, it was 90,2–275,5 g/plant higher. Ultimately, mineral fertilization with the NanoSilicon microelement in all studied dosages had a positive effect on the corn yield, the maximum value, which was obtained when it was applied at doses of 40/75/75 (seed treatment with NanoSilicon with a rate of 40 g/ha + application by seedlings at a dose of 75 g/ha + in the phase of 7–8 leaves 75 g/ha) and 40/100/100 (seed treatment – 40 g/ha + seedlings – 100 g/ha + in the phase of 7–8 leaves – 100 g/ha), which amounted to 59,9 and 59,8 c/ha, respectively.

Features of quality indicators of corn grain formation depending on the complex of elements of growing technology

The article presents the results of research on the peculiarities of the grain quality indicators of corn hybrids formation depending on plant density and fertilizer system in conditions of unstable moisture in the right bank of Foreststeppe zone of Ukraine. The aim of the research was to identify the influence of a set of elements of cultivation technology on the quality of corn grain. During 2017–2019, research using field, calculation and statistical methods was conducted in the research field of the training and production center of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University (Bila Tserkva NAU). It was found that on average in the experiment, the earlyripening hybrid of DN PIVYHA corn (FAO 180) had a protein content in grain of 9.96 % and starch – 72.26 %, in the middleearly hybrid of DN ORLYK (FAO 280) protein was 9.08 %, and starch – 73.55 %, while the medium-ripe hybrid DN SARMAT, respectively, 8.86 % and 72.98 %. The maximum values of protein content in the grain of the hybrid DN PIVYHA (FAO 180) were noted by us for the use of mineral fertilizer system and density at the time of harvesting 55 thousand pieces/ha – 10.23 %. However, in the DN ORLYK hybrid, the maximum protein content was also observed for the mineral fertilizer system and for the pre-harvest density of plants of 55 and 65 thousand units/ha. Similar figures were obtained for the hybrid DN SARMAT. The maximum indicators of starch content in corn grain were obtained by us in all studied hybrids at pre-harvest plant density of 55 thousand units/ha and fertilizer with organic fertilizer Organic compost, 7 t/ha, which were respectively 73.40 % (DN PIVIHA) 74.20 % (DN ORLIK) and 73.05 % (DN SARMAT). According to the results of determining the proportions of the influence of factors, it is recorded that the formation of protein content by 32 % is influenced by the fertilizer system, while the hybrid factor remains quite significant – 25 %. It is determined that the conditions of the growing season determine this trait by 23 %, and the density at the time of harvest by 15 %. The content of protein and starch in corn grain depends not only on the biological characteristics of hybrids but also on the direct influence and interaction of experimental factors: fertilizer systems and plant density and their reaction to growing conditions developed during 2017–2019. Key words: corn, grain, hybrid, fertilizer system, plant density, protein content, starch content.

Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Corn Grains from a Pb-Zn Mining Area

A total of 92 corn grain samples, around the Pb-Zn mining area in Southwest China, were collected to evaluate the contamination and health risk of heavy metals. Heavy metals including Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni in samples were analyzed. A single factor pollution index and comprehensive pollution index were calculated to assess the quality of corn grains. The potential health risks to adults and children due to the intake of these heavy metals through consumption of crops were evaluated using the health risk index. The results showed that the average contents of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni in corn grains were 0.30, 23.75, 0.21, 1.33, and 1.15 mg ·kg-1, respectively, Among the metals, the content of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni exceeded the national food hygiene standards. The Nemero index of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni ranged from 4.32 to 9.07, indicating an extremely high level, whereas the contamination of Zn reached an alarming level. The assessment results of the comprehensive health risk index for the corn grains indicated that the contamination of heavy metals poses health risks to adults and children by food ingestion; moreover, the children were more sensitive to various heavy metals than the adults. Principle component analysis revealed that the first main component dominated the sources of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while the second main component, Zn, might have originated from sources different from the other heavy metals. Positive correlations were not observed between the heavy metals in corns and soils.

Campo electromagnético en plántulas, rendimiento y calidad de maíz en condiciones de campo

Para mejorar productividad y calidad del grano de maíz (Zea mays L.) Para consumo humano, sin dañar el ambiente, se evaluó el efecto del campo electromagnético (CE) sobre calidad fisiológica, rendimiento y sanidad del grano de maíz. La semilla se expuso a CE a intensidad de 3.6 mT. En condiciones de campo, en 2015 y 2016, se evaluaron las variedades: H-70, H-61R y V-60 y tres tiempos de exposición a CE (6, 12 y 24 min) más un testigo (no irradiado) en un diseño de bloques completos al azar. Los resultados mostraron que la semilla expuesta por 24 min a CE incrementó 10.54% y dos días el establecimiento de plántulas y la floración media masculina; asimismo, 11.04% el rendimiento ha-1 (870 kg ha-1) en comparación con el testigo no irradiado. H-70 y V-60 tuvieran mayor establecimiento de plántulas con 24 minutos de exposición a CE (17.5 y 8.23 %) y H-61R con 12 min (9.75%). H-61R y V-60 rindieron más (10.85 y 8%) con 12 min de exposición a CE y H-70 aumentó 27.14 % con 6 min en comparación con el testigo. En el grano se cuantificó en promedio 9.22 y 7.72% de Fusarium spp. y Fusarium oxysporum. Con 12 min de exposición a CE disminuyó 10% la presencia de Fusarium spp. en comparación con el testigo. Campo electromagnético, usado como tratamiento pre siembra en semilla de variedades de maíz, aumenta significativamente el establecimiento de plántulas, pero no el rendimiento de grano en condiciones de campo.

Ozone in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation

Abstract Among energy sources from food, corn is a cereal with significant nutritional characteristics. However, during preprocessing, corn is subject to contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are considered carcinogenic, and gas ozone can be used as an alternative for decontamination. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ozonation on the quality of corn grains at different exposure times. Evaluations were performed to assess moisture content, electrical conductivity, germination, germination speed index, colour (brightness parameter, direction red to green, direction yellow to blue, hue angle indicates the colour tone and chroma), and chemical composition, and chromatographic analysis was performed to quantify the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The ozonation times influence on the quality of the maize grains was lipids, ash and germination percentage and did not promote the degradation of all the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the product.