Plant breeding involves a reduction of genetic diversity that could hinder the expected response to further selection, and the magnitude of that detrimental effect depends on both breeding population and breeding program design. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of selection for reduced anthesis-silking interval in an Algerian maize (Zea mays L.) population in order to assess the potential value of this population and breeding strategy for subsequent breeding programs. We genotyped Cycle 0 and Cycle 3 from selection for reduced anthesis-silking interval under drought conditions of the Algerian maize population LOM, which was the best performing population in a previous breeding program, with 34 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. These selected markers were highly informative with Polymorphism Information Content values = 0.72 and genetic diversity was maintained over the selection cycles. The genetic distance (Nei's, 1978) between the two cycles was 0.47 and the genetic identity was 0.62. These results indicate that the population LOM was highly variable and that the genetic diversity was not significantly reduced for most genetic parameters by this selection program for reduced anthesis-silking interval. However, genetic selection has caused several genetic changes in Cycle 3 respect to Cycle 0, generating a large genetic divergence between the two cycles of selection. Variations in allelic frequency suggest that further studies could reveal markers associated with selection that could be useful for identifying quantitative trait loci.
Drought stress negatively affects germination, vegetative growth, biomass production, and yield traits in maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, we investigate the effects of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions on germination, early seedling growth traits, and the physiological response of ten maize genotypes in Yucatan, Mexico. Additionally, drought tolerance indices were calculated and used to differentiate drought-tolerant genotypes. The data were examined by two-way analysis of variance and multivariate analysis. The results showed that PEG treatments significantly reduced germination and retarded seedling growth of maize genotypes. The physiological response of maize genotypes was also affected. Under drought stress, maize genotypes showed reduced carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, but increased water use efficiency. Additionally, variability was observed in drought tolerance traits among different maize genotypes. According to PCA analysis based on variation in drought tolerance indices, three maize genotypes are drought-tolerant, including NTR, NTA, and NTB. These genotypes are suitable for cultivating areas where water availability is limited and for selecting tolerant genotypes to drought in breeding programs.
A study was conducted to assess the yield stability of 45 single cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids across five locations in North India, namely Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Meerut, Kannauj, and Varanasi. Of the 45 hybrids tested, 21 displayed a higher-than-average yield (3.76 t/ha) across all environments. The analysis of variance showed that environment contributed to 88.4% of the total variation, followed by genotype x environment (7.9%) and genotype (3.7%). The first two significant interaction principal component axes accounted for about 81.54% of the total variation for grain yield. Hybrid 39 had the highest yield under diverse environments. Meerut and Muzaffarpur were identified as being more representative for grain yield compared to Kannauj, Samastipur, and Varanasi. Meerut was found to be the most discriminating environment. Hybrid 27, with an AMMI (Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction) stability value (ASV) of 0.00, was widely adapted. Hybrids specifically adapted to Samastipur (2), Muzaffarpur (2), Meerut (1), Kannauj (2), and Varanasi (2) were identified. With the least yield stability index (YSI), Hybrid 40, is recommended for cultivation during the monsoon in Northern India. Meerut and Muzaffarpur sites are recommended for evaluating early stages of maize test crosses.
Adjuvants are critical in enhancing herbicide efficacy, resulting in reduced herbicide application cost, less environmental pollution, and more sustainable weed management. To check the role of adjuvants (alkyl ether sulphate sodium salt, rapsoel methyl ester, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, and ammonium sulphate) in improving the efficacy of nicosulfuron-atrazine-propisochlor (NAP), a repeated warehouse experiment was conducted to optimize the NAP at 100% and 75% of the recommended label dose and adjuvants combinations against five different types of weeds and maize plants. NAP at a reduced dose (75% label dose) plus rapsoel methylester at 400 ml ha-1 provided 100% and 97% control of Trianthema portulacastrum and Dactyloctenium aegyptium. While NAP at reduced dose plus alkyl ether sulphate sodium salt 400 ml ha-1 provided 91%, 86%, and 87% control of Amaranthus viridis, Echinochloa colona and Cyperus rotundus, respectively. The addition of adjuvants did not cause any phytotoxic effect on maize growth and grain yield. All tested adjuvants enhanced the NAP efficacy, however, change in efficacy depended on the adjuvant added and the type of weed species. Hence, tested adjuvants can be used to reduce herbicide doses up to 25%, representing a promising strategy to reduce herbicide input to cope with increasing herbicide-resistance development and environmental pollution to ensure sustainable weed control in maize.
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) (FAW) impacts maize (Zea mays L.) production. No maize genotype is completely resistant to FAW. This experiment was conducted in Calabar, Cross River State, with twenty maize genotypes using a randomized complete block design with three replications. These maize genotypes varied in responses to FAW scores, plant height, leaf count, plant standability and performance, days to 50% anthesis and silking, anthesis-silking interval, fresh and de-husked cob weight and length, husk proportion, ear rating, grains per cob, 100-seed weight, and grain yield. FAW score perfectly correlated with plant and ear ratings. Grain yield is strongly associated with cobs per plant and grains per cob. The study of this genetic variability showed that while seedling emergence, days to 50% anthesis, and 50% silking showed moderate genetic gain, all other traits showed high genetic gain. This suggests that under FAW pressure, it might be possible to choose maize genotypes that have these traits. FAW score, plant standability and performance, and ear rating were all found to be in the same cluster in the principal component and genotype-by-traits biplot analyses. This proved that they were useful for the identification of maize genotypes that are tolerant to FAW pressure. In one cluster were cobs per plant, husk covering, cob length, and grains per cob with grain yield. This further confirmed the importance of these traits in selecting maize genotypes with high yield potential under FAW pressure. Despite FAW pressure, maize genotypes AS2001-20, AS2001-24, M1628-8, AS2106-63, and FAW 2212 demonstrated high grain yields considerable for inclusion in further FAW-related studies.
The protein content and quality in maize significantly influence grain quality, driving global efforts to develop high-protein-quality genotypes. Opacity serves as a key phenotypic selection criterion in these efforts due to its relationship with essential amino acid content. This study investigates the differentiation of opaque maize kernels using computer-aided software and explores the relationship between opacity levels and color spaces (RGB, HSV, Lab). Seed samples from 10 maize genotypes (1000 seeds) with varying opacity levels were imaged on a light table in embryo-up and embryo-down orientations. Particle analysis and thresholding performed in R determined opacity levels and provided numerical data for RGB, HSV, and Lab color spaces. Protein, lysine, and tryptophan contents were analyzed through reference methods. Correlation and regression analyses assessed relationships between opacity levels (visual and image-processed) and biochemical components, and color space channels. Protein content ranged from 6.66% to 11.62%, lysine from 0.266% to 0.450%, and tryptophan from 0.034% to 0.092% among opacity groups. Relationships between visual and image-processed opacity levels showed R2 = 0.57 (embryo-up) and R2 = 0.65 (embryo-down). Notably, channels of the HSV color space correlated with lysine and tryptophan contents. This study demonstrates that image processing effectively evaluates opacity levels and protein quality in maize using color space data, offering a promising tool for phenotypic selection.
Maize holds significant economic importance as a cereal crop on a global scale. Among several abiotic stresses, waterlogging poses a substantial challenge in attainment of potential crop yield. To recognize inbred lines that exhibit resilience to waterlogging, it is crucial to gain insights into the fundamental mechanisms and effects of waterlogging stress on various morphological, physiological and biochemical traits. The present study was carried out to identify waterlogging tolerant inbred lines using a set of 86 inbred lines for six and nine days of water logging stress at V 3-4 stage along with control. The results indicate that under increasing waterlogging stress, notable decrease in germination percentage, chlorophyll content and root traits viz., root length, root area, and root volume were observed. However, in the case of tolerant genotypes, the percentage reduction in these traits compared to the control was lower than in the susceptible ones. Both fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots exhibited a reduction compared to control; however, the tolerant genotypes displayed the least reduction, while the susceptible genotypes experienced a sharp reduction. Also, the chlorophyll content experienced the least reduction in tolerant genotypes as waterlogging stress increased. To validate the identified lines, a subset of 13 lines shown to be tolerant or susceptible were selected based on various experiments performed and then these lines were subjected to biochemical analysis viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid and tocopherol content. Tolerant genotypes viz., I 185, I 172 and SE 616 exhibited higher enzyme activity and antioxidant content, compared to susceptible genotypes.
A memorial by Antonio Mussi and a plea by Giovanni Lamo, both noblemen from Cremona eager to introduce maize cultivation in Tuscany, but who met with no success, are the subject of this paper. Both documents present the cultivation of maize in the Republic of Venice with such extensive details that their considerations are considered valuable documents for reconstructing the history of the presence and uses of this cereal in the mid-16th century in Italy. The originals have been acquired, compared with the transcriptions already published and translated into English. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the text and the historical context in which these offers were made has been conducted
The Indo-Gangetic plains are experiencing significant climate variability and groundwater depletion, threatening agricultural productivity and water security. The dominant Rice-Wheat (RW) cropping pattern exacerbates water scarcity, necessitating the replacement of water-intensive crops like rice with more water-efficient alternatives. Maize, a primary kharif crop, but due to its spacious nature and slow initial growth, it is prone to heavy weed growth, leading to water and nutrient losses. To optimize resource utilization and maintain sustainable maize yields, alternative agronomic strategies are required. Modifying planting systems and implementing effective weed management practices show promise in improving crop and water productivity of maize. So, keeping all this in view, an experiment was conducted for two years including crop establishment methods viz ., bed + residue, zero tillage (ZT) with residue and conventional tillage (CT) + residue in main plots and five weed management options as pyroxasulfone (PE), pyroxasulfone (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), atrazine (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), weedy check and weed free check (sub plots) were compared in a split-plot design with three replications. Results indicated that bed + residue (Bed+R) recorded highest soil moisture content (11.84 % at knee height and 11.86 % at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (9.72 kg-ha mm-1 ) compared to ZT+R and CT+R. Among weed management options, highest soil moisture content and water productivity was recorded with weed free plot, but in sequential herbicide options, highest soil moisture content (12.35 % at knee height and 12.37 % at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (10.30 kg-ha mm-1 ) was recorded with pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione compared to other treatments. Overall, based on the findings it can be concluded that pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione application in maize with bed planting enhances water productivity with lesser infestation of weeds under Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.
Based on the Web of Science, this study analyzed 3,103 research articles and review articles of maize or corn intercropping system research from 1952 to 2022. Results showed that papers mainly written in English (2,925, 94.264%), were from 9,814 authors, 114 countries/territories and 2,201 organizations, listed in 496 Journals and two Book Series. The top five journals were Field Crops Research (181, 5.833 %), Agronomy Journal (107, 3.448 %), Agroforestry Systems (103, 3.319 %), Plant and Soil (97, 3.126 %) and Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (80, 2.578 %). Top five countries and regions were Peoples R China, USA, Brazil, India and Kenya, each more than 221 papers. The top three affiliations were China Agr Univ, Sichuan Agr Univ, and Wageningen Univ. Top 5 authors are Yang Wenyu, Yang Feng, Chai Qiang, van der Werf Wopke, Liu Weiguo, each published more than 36 papers. Based on the analysis of network map of VOSviewer, there is cooperation for authors, organizations and countries or regions. Visualizations offer exploratory information on the current state in a scientific field or discipline as well as indicate possible developments in the future. The analysis of all keywords showed that maize or corn intercropping system research were separated into ten clusters. So, authors can choose their ideal journal with a high impact factor or Q1 in Category to publish their papers in the English language related to their research field.
The study explores the integration of remote sensing technologies with ground truth data for precise estimation of maize cultivation areas in the Indian Belagavi district, Karnataka, during the rabi season of 2022-23. Leveraging Sentinel-1A satellite data and advanced processing techniques, the study provides insights into crop dynamics, phenology, and spatial distribution. Ground truth data collection involved 369 points covering diverse land use and land cover types. The multi-temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery underwent automated processing, extracting features crucial for maize classification. Classification accuracy assessment revealed robust performance, with 92.4% accuracy for maize and 91.1% for non-maize locations, supported by a Kappa index of 0.83. Taluk (sub- district) wise maize area estimation highlighted spatial variations, with Saudatti emerging as the leading taluk, contributing 25.74% of the total maize cultivation area. The study underscores the importance of localized agricultural planning strategies tailored to each region's agricultural landscape. Through comprehensive analysis and accurate area estimation, policymakers and stakeholders gain valuable insights for informed decision-making, ranging from optimizing input distribution to formulating targeted policies for rural development.
A field study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, Kakinada Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India during kharif 2018 and 2019 on sandy loam soils to assess effect of sensor-based nitrogen application on growth, yield and economics of maize. The precision nutrient management practices had significant effect on the growth and yield attributes of maize. It was observed that in second year, higher yield level obtained in all treatment and corresponding increase in the N dose under green seeker (GS) guided N application was also observed which shows that this tool optimizes the N application as per yield target/potential. The green seeker (GS) based precision nutrient management practice increased grain yield of maize to the tune of 3.4-5.6 per cent over recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF). The adoption of GS guided nitrogen application increased the net returns by Rs. 4,257-6,273 ha(-1) over RDF by saving money on costly fertilizer inputs. These GS based treatments gave 7.1 to 10.5 % higher net returns along with 29% to 49% increased agronomic N use efficiency and saving of 23.5 to 61.5 Kg N /ha over blanket RDF of 200 kg N/ha. Our experimental results disclosed that in-season N management based on green seeker sensor-based technology could be a better strategy towards higher yield with optimized N use efficiency and thereby reducing the cost of cultivation than blanket recommendations in maize.
This study aimed to improve the inoculation procedure with Sphacelotheca reiliana to identify germplasms susceptible to head smut of maize. During Phase 1, 1.5 g of spores were introduced into a substrate roll, which was then sown at 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after inoculation in a spore-free field. During Phase 2, 15 hybrids were planted on three dates in a field with head smut disease record. The tassel and ear were examined, and the number of infected plants was registered. In Phase 1, all hybrids showed the highest infection rates 25 days after inoculation. In Phase 2, the highest infection percentage was observed on the first date (32.5%). Experimental hybrids 1 and 2 and hybrid DK357 showed the highest infection percentages, whereas hybrids DK2037 and DK2061 showed the lowest infection percentages. On the second date, 10 hybrids were susceptible to infection, while on the third date, the hybrids showed low infection percentages or were not infected. The disease response in the Cimarron, Experimental 3, and Antelope hybrids was relatively constant over the first two planting dates. The experimental hybrids and P4063W showed high infection percentages. On the first date, the Experimental 3, Experimental 2, P4063W and Experimental 1 hybrids showed infection percentages of 77, 65, 62 and 46%, respectively. On the second date, these percentages changed to 49, 35, 41 and 48%, respectively. The proposed inoculation method is more effective and can be employed a lower cost and with less infrastructure than previous methods.
Maize being a widely grown crop succumbs to changed climatic conditions especially drought. Breeding for drought tolerant maize hybrids necessitates selection of diverse drought tolerant inbreds which can help in development of heterotic hybrids suitable for both normal and moisture stress situations. Hence, the present study has been conducted to assess genetic diversity among 28 tropical maize inbreds based on physiological, phenological, yield and yield components under well watered (WW) and water stressed (WS) condition. Seven clusters were formed under WS and 14 clusters under WW condition. Cluster 1 was the largest with 15 inbreds in WS and nine inbreds under WW condition. Many mono-genotypic clusters under WS condition (5) and under WW condition (13) were shown by analyses. Based on inter -cluster distance, the maize inbred PDM 77-4 and PDM 4641 belonging to mono-genotypic clusters due to their performance both under well watered and water stress condition resulted in diverse nature of these inbreds. Shelling percentage (41.2 %, 33.1 %), grain yield (20.5 %, 25.9 %), cobs per plant (17.8 %, 19.1 %), contributed maximum towards genetic divergence both under WW and WS condition and hence these characters may be given weightage while selecting diverse inbreds to develop superior hybrids suitable for both WW and WS condition. The inbred PDM 4541 exhibited higher relative water content (RWC), lower days to 50 % tasseling, 50 % silking with reduced anthesis silking interval (ASI) under WS condition and hence can be a potential inbred in developing hybrids suitable specifically for WS condition. Maximum cob length (CL), cob girth (CG), kernel row number (KRN), number of kernels per row (NKR), 100 seed weight (HSW) and grain yield was distributed in different mono-genotypic clusters having maize inbreds CML 451, CAL 1426-2, CML 563 and PML 54 and hence these inbreds can be used in population improvement programme to derive inbred lines combining many productive traits.
Wider ranges of variation were observed for most agronomic traits both in the parents and their F 1 experimental cross combinations of sweet corn. Four hybrids SC sel 3 x SC sel 1, SC sel 2 x SC Synthetic, SC Sel 2 x SC sel 3 and SC sel 2 x MRCSC 9 recorded higher green ear yield than best standard check hybrid which ranged from 12.21 to 12.48 tons per hectare. A substantial amount of heterosis over better parent and standard checks in a favourable direction was observed for all the characters. Against the best standard check Misti, heterosis was observed only in three hybrids for green ear yield (GEY), two hybrids for total soluble solids (TSS) and thirteen hybrids for green fodder weight (GFW). The ear length (EL) and kernel row number (KRN) heterosis maintained significantly positive correlation with heterosis values of different cob characters whose heterosis would uniquely describe the GEY. Thus, if there is a heterosis for EL and KRN, one would expect greater heterosis for GEY. The potence ratio indicated the presence of a high degree of overdominance in most hybrids for all traits studied suggesting the traits under the control of non -additive gene effects. However, the predominance of both partial dominance and overdominance for green fodder weight, ear height and TSS reveal that these traits are governed by both additive and non -additive gene effects.
The focus of this study is on the physical quality traits, the carbohydrates and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of various maize kernel genotypes produced in Serbia. Furthermore, the aim was to determine the relationship among these quality traits, as well as, their effects on the IVDMD. Ten maize genotypes with different endosperm type and kernel color have been studied (2018 growing season). All kernel traits significantly varied among selected maize genotypes. IVDMD ranged from 83.1-91.2%. In vitro regression model of IVDMD in ruminants was obtained. The physical quality traits such as test weight (TWt), 1000 -kernel weight (KWt), density (Den) and hard endosperm portion (HE) had significant role in predicting the digestibility of maize kernel. The IVDMD was mostly affected by test weight and density in the FOP model (p<0.01 level). The determined in vitro digestibility model can serve for screening various maize kernel genotypes due to estimate their utility value for feed industry.
This study aimed to determine the effect of different irrigation water salinity levels on growth, evapotranspiration, some growth parameters, and leaves and roots ion uptake in of two different sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) varieties (Erdurmus and Uzun) Six different saline irrigation water levels (S0=0.5 (control), S1= 1.0, S2= 2.0, S4=4.0, S8= 8.0, and S16=16.0 ds m-1) were obtained by mixing the NaCl and CaCl2 salt sources into the tap water source. Plants were harvested before the phase of florescence. Increasing salinity level first increased and then decreased all growth parameters (Stem length, root length, fresh stem weight, fresh root weight, dry stem weight, and dry root weight). The increased salinity level after S2 treatment resulted in decreased water use efficiency. The salinity level affected the uptake of all ions in the root (except the K ion) and leaf, and as the salinity level increased, the amount of N, P, Mn, Zn and Na in the leaf increased significantly, while the amount of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Cu decreased.
Maize is used as animal fodder throughout the world and considered as ideal forage because of its quick growing habit, produces high palatable biomass and helps to improve body weight and milk quality in cattle due to its higher nutritional value. Production potential of forage maize can be altered with changes in agronomic practices viz. selection of cultivar, planting density, weed management, nutrient management, corn-legume intercropping etc. Maximum productivity of quality green fodder can be achieved by exploring best agronomic practices for its cultivation. Under conventional feeding system, farmers practice's daily cutting and carrying of fodders for feeding to the livestock is laborious method and also results in increase in lignin content of fodder crop with maturity, thus requires more energy to digest, effecting net energy balance of the animals. Corn silage production has been seen to suffice all these factors which can help in managing round the year fodder availability for dairy animals. The production of quality corn silage depends upon number of agronomic factors such as selection of cultivar, stage of harvesting, method of storage, corn-legume mixture silage etc. Keeping these points in view, the literature pertaining to agronomy of cultivation of fodder maize and its preservation, to obtain higher biomass of quality fodder and silage has been reviewed.
Purple colored corn has significantly higher anthocyanin concentration than uncolored corn. The demand of purple corn is increasing due to being more beneficial to health compared to yellow corn. There is no any registered variety, genetic pool and breeding program to meet this demand in Turkey. The objectives of this study were to (i) develop purple sweet corn inbred lines, (ii) morphologically define the developed lines and (iii) determine consumer preference on purple sweet corn. Standard sweet corn lines (su) and a purple waxy corn as a color donor that provided from Thailand were used in this study. The study was carried out in Antalya Turkey under field and greenhouse conditions during the consequent of 2017-2021 years. The sweet and the purple donor lines were crossed and then selfed according to the pedigree breeding procedure to develop lines varied for purple and sweetness characters. Developed lines were characterized according to morphological traits and divided into totally seven clusters. Twenty lines were finally selected based on agronomic characteristics under investigation among 118 lines. The results showed that developed purple sweet corn lines had higher anthocyanin (26.09 mg/L), antioxidant capacity (147.50 IC50/DPPH) and phenolic compounds (1014.7 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/kg) than yellow sweet lines . According to the panel test results, purple sweet corn had higher scale of appearance and purchase request (8.09 and 7.68) than yellow ones (7.60, 7.49) respectively. This is first report on development of purple sweet corn lines in Turkey.
Climate change and faster depletion of natural resources highlighted the importance of conservation agriculture. To study the effect of different tillage interventions and planting methods on productivity, soil properties and profitability of maize and to optimize the time of nitrogen application in maize under different tillage and planting methods, a field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018in split plot design with four combinations of tillage systems and planting methods [conventional tillage + flat sowing (T1), conventional tillage + bed sowing (T2), zero tillage + flat sowing (T3), zero tillage + bed sowing (T4)] in main plots and four schedules of nitrogen (N) application including recommended (1/3 N as basal, 1/3 N at knee high stage and 1/3 N at pre -tasseling stage) (N1), 1/2 N as basal and 1/2 N at knee high stage (N2), 1/2 N as basal, 1/4 N at knee high stage and 1/4 N at waist high stage (N3) and 1/3 N as basal, 1/3 N at knee high stage and 1/3 N at waist high stage (N4) in sub -plots with three replications. Bed and flat sowing in combination with zero and conventional tillage resulted in similar maize grain yield. However, the bed sowing helped in achieving 33.3% higher water saving over flat sowing. The net returns were higher by 5816.44 and 2528.11 INR ha -1 under zero -till flat sowing as compared with conventional -till flat sowing in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Maize with N application as per N3, N4 and N2 treatments produced statistically at par grain yield as with the recommended schedule of N application. So, advanced time of N application along with permanent bed planting can be adopted profitably for improved productivity.
