White Maize Research Articles

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF EUXESTA SPP. (DIPTERA: OTITIDAE) IN MAIZE (Zea Mays L.), WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) AND POLYCULTURE

In Brazil there is a great concern about the incidence of insect pests on reproductive organs of plants. In maize, there has been some species of Euxesta (Diptera: Otitidae) flies causing damage, especially in sweet maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of Euxesta spp. in maize, wheat and polyculture. For this, two experiments were carried out in a savanna area. The first was set in two potential hosts, the high protein white maize and the wheat, the second experiment was carried out in a polyculture system (maize, soybean, sorghum and cotton). The insects were captured weekly until the end of cultivation through McPhail traps with hydrolyzed maize protein randomly distributed in both fields..Two species, Euxesta eluta and Euxesta mazorca, were sampled. There was a greater collection of individuals in maize compared to wheat. Higher number of E. eluta was observed in soybean and cotton, followed by maize 1 and 2 and sorghum. The number of E. maize was found to be higher in the two kinds of maize, soybean, cotton and sorghum. The number of females was higher than males in both crops.

Influence of Heating on Antinutritional Factors on Maize and Rice Cereals

Antinutritional factors are secondary metabolites synthesized in plants, which tend to antagonize nutrition either by causing toxicity or secondary nutritional deficiency of some important nutrients necessary for animal nutrition. Effect of heating regimes on the antinutritional contents of two varieties of rice and maize was determined; boiled for 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The samples were sun-dried and levels of the antinutrients were determined using reported procedures. Rice (foreign): phytate – 8.92 ± 1.24, Oxalate – 3.15 ± 0.45, Tannins – 4.44 ± 0.89, For rice (Local): Phytate – 6.03 ± 1.07, Oxalate – 2.05 ± 0.26, Tannins – 2.49 ± 0.36, Maize (White): Phytate – 7.23 ± 0.26, Oxalate – 6.45 ± 1.13, Tannins – 4.66 ± 0.17 and Maize (Red): Phytate – 6.90 ± 0.71, Oxalate – 4.05 ± 0.45 and Tannins–8.58±0.13. Heating for 120 minutes decreases the levels of antinutrients to; Rice (Foreign): Phyate – 5.59. ± 0.16, Oxalate – 1.36 ± 0.19, Tannins – 1.57 ± 0.13, Rice (Local): Phytate – 0.29 ± 0.07, Oxalate – 0.33 ± 0.09, Tannins – 0.52 ± 0.31, Maize (White): Phyate – 3.00 ± 0.08, Oxalate – 1.37 ± 0.31, Tannins – 1.92 ± 0.09 and Maize (red): Phytate – 3.01 ± 0.08, Oxalate – 1.27 ± 0.60 and Tannins 3.19 ± 0.23. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance using SPSS 20. For the analysis, there was significant difference (P˂0.05) between rice and maize cereals, but no significant difference (P˂0.05) between both the cultivars of rice and maize. Similarly, there was significant difference (P˂0.05) in the effect of heating on the two cereals, but no significant difference (P˂0.05) in the effect of heat between the red and white maize as well as local and foreign rice. The results showed that decrease in the levels of antinutritional contents is proportional to the heating time in rice and maize samples.

Ex-ante impact assessment of GM maize adoption in El Salvador

ABSTRACTBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) white maize was field tested in El Salvador in 2009. Results showed sufficient pest abatement, eliminating the need for insecticide applications, and an average yield increase of 18% above that of the most widely cultivated conventional hybrid. This article presents an ex ante economic impact assessment of Bt maize adoption in El Salvador. Ten-year economic surplus projections show a considerable welfare gain for the overall economy, with consumers being the principal beneficiaries. Trade implications of adopting Bt maize are analyzed and appropriate alternatives to possible market shutdowns are explored. Results obtained in this study could compliment the agronomic evaluation of Bt maize and become part of the Salvadoran government decision process on Bt maize adoption.

Selecting for Coupling Phase Recombination between Potyvirus Resitance and White Endosperm Colour in Maize Preferred by Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)


 
 
 Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease caused by a combined infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and any cereal infecting potyvirus is a threat to food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Resistance to potyvirus has been extensively studied and Mdm1 gene for potyvirus resistance on chromosome 6 of maize is linked to Y1 gene for maize endosperm colour. This study is aimed at se- lecting for coupling-phase recombination of potyvirus resistance and white endosperm colour. White susceptible maize lines CML333 and CML277 were crossed with a yellow resistant line, Pa405, to produce F1 and F2 progenies. Progenies were screened using molecular markers to recover 22 white endosperm recombinants. 22 selections were advanced to F3 recombinant families, and 10 were as- sayed for their responses to Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). Four families segregated for SCMV resistance, selection of homozygous recombinants within these families will provide lines appropriate for improving lines with resistance to SCMV and MLN resistance in SSA.
 KEY WORDS: MAIZE LETHAL NECROSIS (MLN), WHITE MAIZE, POTYVIRUS RESISTANCE, GENETIC RECOMBINATION, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
 
 

Combining Ability of some White Maize Inbred Lines for Grain Yield and some Other Traits

Fourteen white maize inbred lines derivative from diverse heterotic group by choice in field disease at Sids Agricultural Research Station were used in this study. In 2014 growing season, the fourteen white maize inbred lines were crossed with two testers Sids 7 and Sids 1157. In 2015 season 28 white single crosses and two checks (SC 10 and SC 128) were assess at two locations (Gemmeiza and Sids). Statistics were registered for five traits [days to 50% silking, plant and ear heights (cm.), ear length and grain yield (ard/fad)]. Collective analysis over two locations revealed that mean squares for crosses, lines, testers and lines × testers were significant and highly for all the studied traits, except lines × testers mean squares for days to 50% silking and ear length. Mean squares for crosses × locations interactions were highly and significantly for all the traits studied, except ear length. Mean squares due to lines × locations had significantly and high for days to 50% silking. Testers × locations interactions had highly and significant for all studied traits. The magnitude of σ2 GCA was larger than that σ2 SCA for all traits. For grain yield, two crosses (L7 × Sd 7 and L13 × Sd7) considerably out yielded the best commercial check SC 128. The best GCA effects were obtained from three inbreed lines (L5, L7 and L13) for grain yield. Two top crosses (L1 × Sd 1157 and L11 × Sd 7) had positively significant SCA effects for grain yield.

Should traders be blamed for soaring food prices in Ethiopia? Evidence from wholesale maize markets

The prevalence of imperfect price transmission in the agricultural food markets continues to be an important policy concern for most countries in Africa. Motivated by the coexistence of soaring food prices and high domestic food production, this article investigates the performance of wholesale white maize markets in Ethiopia during the post-agricultural market liberalization period. The presence of price manipulation in the grain market structure has important welfare implications as it impedes the full transmission of price reductions and increases among marketing intermediaries. Results indicate that regional maize markets adjusted more quickly to price decreases than price increases to the central Addis Ababa wholesale maize market prices, suggesting the absence of positive asymmetric price transmission. Our findings are in contrast with existing studies conducted in southern, western and eastern Africa major food commodity markets.

Supplementing white maize masa with anthocyanins: Effects on masa rheology and on the in vitro digestibility and hardness of tortillas

The aim of this work was to supplement masa made from nixtamalized white maize flour (NWMF) with anthocyanins (0.0, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.12 g/100 g of masa), and to evaluate the effects on the rheological properties of the masa and on color, staling, in vitro digestibility, and hardness of tortillas. Tortilla baking reduced the content of anthocyanins by about 10%. The color parameters of the tortillas added with anthocyanins was similar to that of tortillas made with blue maize. Attenuated total reflection ATR-FTIR spectra showed that the 1022/1047 peak ratio increased, indicative that retrogradation increased with storage time, but the ratio was significantly lower for tortillas with added anthocyanins than without them, and lower for higher anthocyanins concentration. Freshly made tortillas added with anthocyanins exhibited lower ready digestible (about 35%) and slowly digestible (about 20%), but higher resistant (about 45%) starch fractions. Tortillas with 0.12 g of anthocyanins showed significantly lower hardness than the control tortillas (without added anthocyanins). Both previous mentioned effects can be associated with retrogradation, which on turn could be linked to anthocyanins-starch complexes and inhibition of amylolytic enzymes.

Potentials of Ensiled Panicum Maximum with Different Crop Residues as Ruminant Feed During Dry Season

The experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of ensiled guinea grass with different additives using in-vitro gas production method. The silage were in 5 treatments T1: 90% of guinea grass + 10% yellow maize residue, T2: 90% of guinea grass + 10% white maize residue, T3: 90% of guinea grass + 10% guinea corn residue, T4: 90% of guinea grass + 10% soy bean residue, T5: 100% of guinea grass.. The silage quality, physical properties, chemical composition, the in vitro gas production after 24hours of incubation were investigated. Methane (CH4) gas produced was measured. Metabolizable energy (ME), Organic matter digestibility (OMD) and the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) were estimated from the in vitro gas production parameters. The colour of the silage varied among the silage treatments and were closer to the colours of the fresh forage. All the silage had pleasant smell and the temperature had no significant difference among the silage treatments. The pH ranged from 4.23 � 5.60 which has significant difference among the silage treatments. The chemical composition of the silage were as follows: Dry matter (DM) 23.73 to 29.50%, Crude protein (CP), 6.93 to 11.05%; Crude fibre (CF), 27.84 to 31.20%; and ash, 15.01 to 17.50%. Hemicellulose ranges from 23.29 to 26.05%, Cellulose ranges from 21.07 to 30.50%. The mineral composition value of the ensiled ranges are as follow: CA, 0.19 to 0.23%; P, 0.17 to 0.19%; NA, 0.08 to 0.11%; k, 0.34 to 0.45%; MG, 0,10 to 0.13%. Potential gas production varied from 13.00 ml/200mg DM to 18.67 ml/200mg DM. The high (P<0.05) potential gas value of 18.67 ml/200mg DM was obtained for silage T4. The highest value of ME (5.41MJ/kg DM); OMD (46.10%) and SCFA (0.51-mol) were obtained in silage T3 which contain 90% guinea grass with 10%guineacorn residue. Result indicates that silage from 90% guinea grass with 10% white maize residue have the best nutritive value.

In Vitro Gas Production Assessment of Ensiled Brachiaria Decumbens with Different Additives as Animal Feed During the Dry Season

Scarcity of forages during the dry season in Nigeria has lingered. This study therefore assessed the nutritive quality of Brachiaria decumbens with additives prepared as silage using in-vitro gas production technique. Brachiaria decumbens was ensiled with four different additives. T1: 90% Brachiaria decumbens+ 10 %Yellow corn residue; T2: 90% Brachiaria decumbens+ 10% White maize residue; T3: 90% Brachiaria decumbens + 10% Guinea corn residue; T4: 90% Brachiaria decumbens + 10% Soy bean residue; T5: 100% Brachiaria decumbens and were incubated for in vitro gas production for 24 hours. Cumulative gas production was recorded at 3, 6,9,12, 15, 18, 21and 24 hr of incubation periods and the organic matter digestibility (OMD), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and metabolisable energy (ME) were estimated. Results showed that the dry matter content of the silages ranged from 26.35 to 37.57%, the crude protein ranged from 7.30 to 10.00%, the ether extract ranged from 3.60 to 4.27%, The NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly (p<0.05) different among the different silages. The cumulative gas produced ranged between 13.00 and 18.67 ml/200mg DM. There were no significant difference in ME, OMD and SCFA of the silages. The estimated ME (MJ/Kg DM) for the silages ranged from 4.33 MJ/Kg DM to 5.19 MJ/Kg DM. The highest OMD (45.27%) was observed in T2 (Brachiaria decumbens ensiled with white maize residue) and the lowest (41.45%) value in T4 (Brachiaria decumbens ensiled with soy bean residue). The SCFA estimated from gas production were 0.35, 0.50,, 0.37, 0.33 and 0.45 ?Mol.

Evaluation of Anthocyanin Production in White and Purple Maize (Zea maysL.) Using Methyl Jasmonate, Phosphorus Deficiency and High Concentration of Sucrose

Anthocyanins are plants metabolites that are recognized by its red/purple coloration produced in flowers, seeds and leaves. These molecules are potentially important to the industry for its antioxidant capacity, disease prevention and as a natural dye. Currently, the production of anthocyanins is carried out using in vitro culture of Vitis vinifera and its yield is increased by using elicitors or stress factors. Zea mays is relevant due to its high content of cyanidin-3-β-glucoside anthocyanin. In the present study the production of cyanidin-3-β-glucoside was evaluated with different mechanisms of elicitation using in vivo and in vitro culture of purple and white maize varieties. The highest callus induction (85%) for white maize was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, while for purple maize (93%) was obtained in N6 medium with 2 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, using germinated seed as explant for both varieties. Methyl jasmonate was evaluated as an elicitation tool, however no cyanidin-3-β-glucoside was found to be accumulated or produced in vitro. In contrast, using germinated seeds and radicle tissue, elicitation using phosphorus deficiency treatment produced the highest cyanidin-3-β-glucoside accumulation (0.06 mg g–1) in white maize. No elicitation and further production of anthocyanins was found when purple maize were used using this method. Therefore, in vivo elicitation in white maize is a potential method to produce a stable anthocyanin that could be optimized for future applications.

Agronomic performance, chemical composition and Fusarium verticillioides resistance of Italian white maize varieties

White maize varieties were mainly grown in Italy before the advent of hybrids. The characterisation of their nutritional quality and safety will help to enhance the biodiversity of traditional mate...

Carrot leaves improve color and xanthophyll content of egg yolk in laying hens but are not as effective as commercially available marigold fortificant

Yellow and orange egg yolks are good sources of xanthophyll carotenoids, consumption of which is associated with health benefits, such as cancer prevention, eye health, and bone health. Industrial feed fortificants used to improve egg yolk color and carotenoid concentration typically are derived from marigold flowers. Green leafy vegetables are also concentrated sources of the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin (L+Z), but they have not been rigorously evaluated in laying hen feeds as a yolk colorant. The addition of food manufacturing byproducts, including carrot leaves, to animal feed is a promoted method of improving animal nutrition. The ability of dehydrated carrot leaves to improve egg yolk color and L+Z concentration was evaluated by feeding laying hens (n = 40) white maize-based feeds fortified with 2 different dehydrated carrot leaves, marigold as a positive control, or no fortificant as a negative control for 28 D. After a 7-D washout period, the hens were separated into 4 groups, and eggs were collected every other day. Yolks were analyzed by using a portable colorimeter to define the color space and by ultra-performance liquid chromatography to determine the carotenoid profile. Carotenoid concentration rapidly declined from day 0 to 8, confirming adequate washout conditions. The white maize negative control (WM) day 28 lutein concentration (3.59 ± 0.51nmol/g) was significantly less than orange-carrot leaf-treated (OCL) (5.34 ± 0.36nmol/g) and red-carrot leaf-treated hens (RCL) (5.92 ± 1.00nmol/g) in addition to the marigold-treated hens (MG). However, MG was significantly higher than both leaf-treated groups. From day 8 (3.93 ± 0.74nmol/g) to 28 (9.32 ± 1.66nmol/g), MG had the largest increase in lutein and was the only treatment to surpass day 0 initial concentrations (8.50 ± 1.64nmol/g). A similar trend was observed for zeaxanthin and was reflected in the color space.

THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF VARIETIES TECHNOLOGY ON PRODUCTION OF WHITE SUMMER MAIZE IN GHARBIA GOVERNORATE

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in Egypt where used in animal nutrition. The research problem: with studying the economic impacts for using varieties technology of maize in Gharbia Governorate, the most of farmers cultivate many of available varieties without looking efficiency of productivity, her, we asked what is the impact application of technological methods of modern varieties of maize in Gharbia Governorate. The aim of the research: the impact of shifting the supply function, and appreciate efficiency of productivity and economic, and access to the best map of the study crop. By studying the economic impact of the cultivation of modern varieties of white maize on shifting the supply function in Gharbia governorate: with replace single hybrid (haitek 2030) instead of single hybrid: 10 , 130 , 128 , 323 , it has led to shift the supply function to the right, which leads to increase the production by about 30 thousand ardebs assuming cultivation half of the area under maize in Gharbia governorate for the season 2017, its value reached about 13.5 million pounds. As for the triple varieties , it showed that by replacing the variety triple hybrid (321) instead of the triple hybrid varieties 310, 324, 311, its productivity reached about 24.6 ardebs / feddan of 2017, the production from 50% of the total area of maize in governorate increase with about 40 thousand ardebs, its value about 18 million pounds, and thus the cultivation of the total area of the maize crop in Gharbia governorate with single (haitc 2030) and triple 321 increase the production by about 70 thousand ardebs, its value about 31.5 million pounds, thus recommends with cultivate the two varieties in Gharbia governorate . With studying the economic efficiency of hybrid single white maize of seed component of the varieties mentioned that the value of the marginal product reached about 576.0, 369.9, 841.5, 399.15 pounds, while the price of each element of about 58.06, 38.58, 54.97, 30.0 pounds respectively, that means there is an economic efficiency seed element Where the value of the marginal product of the element is greater than its price in the market. But it is possible increase this efficiency until the value marginal product equals the price of element in the market. The economic efficiency of the triple hybrid of white maize of seed component of the items indicate that the value of the marginal product reached about 445.95, 147.6, 312.3, 606.15 L. E , while the price of each component reached about 20.9, 20.55, 20.45, 19.24 pounds respectively, indicate that the seed component has achieved the Efficiency Where the value of marginal product of seed component greater than its price, but it is still possible to increase the efficiency until the value of the marginal product of element equal price in the market. By studying some of the economic measures of single white maize: the percentage of the profit margin of the producer reached about 43.66% , 44.51%, 43.97% , 43.97%, 35.26% respectively, as the rate of economic efficiency of the single varieties reached about 177.51%, 180.20%, 178.47%, 154.47% respectively, It is possible arrange single maize varieties, according to the percentage the proportion of the profit margin and the rate of Economic efficiency as follows: single Hybrid (10), single hybrid (130), single hybrid (2030), single hybrid (128) respectively. As for the triple hybrid of white maize: the percentage of the profit margin of the producer estimated about 42.20%, 22.32%, 38.55%, 38.61%respectively, and the rate of economic efficiency in triple varieties reached about 173.02%, 128.73%, 162.72%, 162.90% respectively. So it can arrange the triple maize varieties, where the percentage of the profit margin and the rate of economic efficiency as follows: triple hybrid (321), triple hybrid (311), triple hybrid (324), triple hybrid (310) respectively. The recommendations: 1- Replacing the single hybrid maize variety (haitc 2030) instead of the lower other varieties, where it has high productivity and has an economic efficiency in Gharbia Governorate. 2- Replacing the triple hybrid maize variety ( 321) instead of the lower other varieties, where it has high productivity and has an economic efficiency in Gharbia Governorate. 3- The producer company's of white maize seeds in Egypt, its must be carrying out the recommendations of this research.

Efficiency of Index-Based Selection Methods for Stem Borer Resistance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Breeders need a simple and reliable index that could be used to make selection quickly in a breeding program. A study was conducted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria, to compare efficiency of four selection indices in selecting the best genotypes in a population improvement program involving a yellow-grained (DMR ESR-Y) and white-grained (DMR ESR-W) maize (Zea mays L.) population under artificial stem borer infestation. Rank summation index (RSI), Base index (BSI), Multiplicative index (MI), and Optimum index that uses heritability as weight (OI) were compared using grain yield, plant aspect, ear aspect, stalk breakage, and tolerance to stem borer as selection criteria. The selection criteria had moderate to high narrow-sense heritability. Each of the traits had a significant correlation with all selection indices, except MI in DMR ESR-Y. The BSI had the highest selection differential (23.32%) followed by OI (21.45%) in the white maize population. It also had the highest (29.11%) followed by RSI (20.99%) in the yellow maize population. The BSI also had strongest correlation with RSI in the white (−0.95**) and the yellow maize population (−0.90**). Percentage similarity was highest between BSI and RSI in the white (82.6%) and yellow maize populations (72.3%). This suggested that both BSI and RSI are good selection indices that could be used in improvement programs for stem borer resistance in maize.

Preparation of a Weaning Food Through Enrichment of Maize Meal with Potatoes (Ipomea batatas) Also Known as Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP)

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and xerophthalmia is prevalent and contribute to morbidity and mortality especially in young children in developing countries. Vitamin A deficiency contributes up to 23% lives lost in children aged 6 to 59 months. Thanks to huge requirements in children aged less than 59 months, vitamin A supplementation has been adopted by countries with support from UNICEF and other development partners. Without vitamin A supplementation a typical child in a developing country is not able to attain and maintain the minimally adequate liver retinol stores [Children are vitamin A deficient with liver retinol stores <20 µg/dL (<0.693 µmol/L)]. However, vitamin A supplementation has faced a number of challenges which creates an avenue for other intervention strategies. Dietary diversity is important. Beta carotene is converted to retinol on a function of 1:2, therefore children would have to eat tenfold increase in portion sizes of fruits and vegetables. Food fortification and enrichment of a specific meal that provides the necessary dietary recommendations of the child in less than three food servings that would provide the necessary nutritional requirements at a low cost therefore making it valuable in developing countries.Methods: Four OFSP varieties were procured from Embu in Kenya. The weaning food consisted of 20% maize (white) meal and 100% OFSP. Analysis was done on the composite flour and maize meal for pro-vitamin A. OFSP composite flour samples were analysed for pro vitamin A and comoared with recomended dietary allowance for children 6 to 59 months. The β-carotene nutrient retention of the weaning food was also calculated.Results: two OFSP varieties had the highest pro vitamin A carotenoid content: Tauing (57.10 mg/kg) and Haspot (51.70 mg/kg). Addition of white maize meal was important to improve gelatinization during preparation. One kilogram of maize meal enriched with Tauing variety of sweet potatoes is estimated to contain 50.88 mg/kg pro vitamin A carotenoid .Conclusion: white maize meal enriched with 80% OFSP is estimated to increase pro vitamin A carotenoid intake in children aged 6 to 59 months, contributing to a reduction in vitamin A deficiency in rural households.Keywords: Xerophthalmia; retinol; RDA; Pro-vitamin A carotenoid, weaning food.

Genetic Variability and Inter-relatedness of Agronomic Traits of Single Cross Hybrid Maize in Contrasting Soil Nitrogen-nutritional Conditions

Background: Lowering the nitrogen demand is the most cost effective and sustainable option to increase grain yield of maize in poor fertility soil.
 Aim: This study was conducted to estimate the variability and inter-traits’ association of white and yellow hybrid maize in soil nitrogen-nutritional stress and optimal conditions.
 Materials and Methods: 150 white and 66 yellow single cross hybrid maize were evaluated in contrasting soil (stress and optimal) N conditions in Ibadan in 2014 and 2015. The trial for the white maize was laid out in 19 × 8 lattice design while the yellow maize was experimented in randomized complete block design. Each trial was replicated three times. Data were collected on days to anthesis (DTA), days to silking (DTS), plant height (PH), ear height (EH), anthesis-silking-interval (ASI) and grain yield (GY) were estimated while leaf senescence (LS), plant aspect (PASP) and ear aspect (EASP) were scored. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance while variances and broad sense heritability were calculated and rated.
 Results: Greater variability existed among white maize than the yellow maize for the traits. Inheritance of the traits can be predicted in optimal N than stress condition. Additive genes action was responsible for inheritance of DTA and DTS while both additive and non-additive control the GY, PH, EH and LS of the white maize in both N conditions. For yellow maize, the DTA and DTS were controlled by additive genes action in both N conditions. The GY, ASI, PH, EH and LS were governed by both additive and non-additive genes actions in N stress condition. Additive genes action is responsible for inheritance of PH and EH while both additive and non-additive actions govern inheritance of GY, ASI and LS in optimal condition. The GY had positive relationship with the DTA, DTS and LS in both N conditions for the white maize while the GY positively correlated with PH, EH and LS in N stress, but with ASI only in optimal condition for the yellow maize.
 Conclusion: Grain yield, flowering, height and leaf senescence can be used in selecting maize for nitrogen-use-efficiency.

Supplementation of a complementary white maize soft porridge with Moringa oleifera powder as a promising strategy to increase nutritional and phytochemical values: a research note

The nutrient, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf powder (MLP) were measured to assess the potential of MLP for improving the nutritional and phytochemical profile of white maize soft porridge used as complementary food in selected rural areas of South Africa. Increasing the concentration of MLP from 0% to 3% resulted in significant increases in nutrient and phenolic concentration as well as the antioxidant activity of white maize soft porridge. For one of the soft porridge samples studied, when MLP was increased from 0% to 3%, the protein concentration of the porridge increased by approximately 11%; total mineral content (ash) by 67%; Zn by 60%; Fe by 45%; total provitamin A by 41%; total phenolics by 40%; and flavonoids (water extract) by up to 139%; and antioxidant activity increased 10% fold. The results indicate that MLP has a good potential for enhancing the nutritional and phytochemical properties of white maize soft porridge.

Consumer Perceptions and Acceptability of Traditional Dishes Prepared with Provitamin A-Biofortified Maize and Sweet Potato.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is prevalent in South Africa, particularly among predominantly poor rural communities. Provitamin A (PVA)-biofortified crops could be used to address VAD; however, there are challenges of poor consumer acceptability. This study investigated the effect of replacing white maize and cream-fleshed sweet potato (CFSP) with PVA-biofortified maize and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), respectively, on consumer acceptability and perceptions of traditional dishes of rural communities in South Africa. Consumer acceptability of PVA-biofortified phutu (a crumbly maize porridge) served with either curried cabbage, chicken or bambara groundnut, separately, and boiled OFSP was evaluated by black South African adults (n = 120) using a five-point facial hedonic scale. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 56 subjects recruited from the consumer panel to assess consumer perceptions of the food samples. The majority of the participants rated the composite dishes containing PVA-biofortified phutu as “4 = good” and the acceptability of the composite dishes varied significantly (p < 0.05). Compared to other age groups, the 50–59-year age group showed higher preference for white phutu and chicken curry, whereas the 30–39-year age group showed higher preference for PVA-biofortified phutu and chicken curry. The acceptability of OFSP and CFSP was similar. The study participants showed positive perceptions of the OFSP, as well as PVA-biofortified phutu if served with either curried chicken or cabbage. The findings suggest that PVA-biofortified maize and OFSP can replace white maize and CFSP, respectively, in selected traditional dishes of the rural communities studied to alleviate VAD.

English

Maize (Zea mays L.) is short duration, high yielding crop, and it can be grown in both spring and kharif seasons in Pakistan. In current study white and yellow maize germplasms were compared for correlations and genetic variability based on different agronomic traits to define selection criteria for maize improvement. Significant differences were observed for yield and related components for entries, checks, all tested genotypes, yellow and white germplasm. Yellow maize genotypes showed higher yield potential compared to white maize genotypes because of more grains per row and number of rows per cob. Based on correlation and path coefficient analysis, yield per plant was proved as appropriate selection criteria for white maize whereas, yield per plant and grains per row were suitable selection criteria for genetic improvement of yellow maize. Total carotenoid contents of yellow maize were independent of the yield so, both can be simultaneously targeted for genetic improvement without paying yield penalty. However, further dissection of genetic variability in yellow maize germplasm based on provitamin A carotenoids is prerequisite. So, far as genotypes, 19189, 15159, 19201, 15018, 15216, 15170, 15155, 19196, 15318 and 19174 among white maize germplasm whereas, 14965, 14982, 19205, 15019, 14971, 15163, 15205, 24687, 15207 and 15194 among yellow maize germplasm were the potential high yielding genotypes. Findings of the study in terms of selection criteria and potential maize genotypes could be useful in different breeding programs for genetic improvement of maize

Nutritional Properties and Consumer's Acceptance of Provitamin A-Biofortified Amahewu Combined with Bambara (Vigna Subterranea) Flour.

Amahewu is a fermented non-alcoholic cereal grain beverage, popular in Southern Africa. This study evaluates the possibility of producing an acceptable provitamin A (PVA)-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with bambara flour, to contribute towards the alleviation of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Germinated, roasted, and raw bambara flours, were added at 30% (w/w) substitution level, separately, to either white maize or PVA-biofortified maize flour, and processed into amahewu. Wheat bran (5% w/w) was used as reference inoculum. Amahewu samples were analyzed for nutritional properties and acceptability. The protein and lysine contents of amahewu almost doubled with the inclusion of germinated bambara. Protein digestibility of amahewu samples increased by almost 45% with the inclusion of bambara. PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples complemented with bambara were extremely liked for their color, aroma, and taste when compared with their white maize counterparts. The principal component analysis explained 96% of the variation and PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples were differentiated from white maize amahewu samples. The taste of amahewu resulting from roasting and germination of bambara was preferred in PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, compared to white maize amahewu. We conclude that PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with germinated bambara, has the potential to contribute towards the alleviation of PEM and VAD.