Arsenic accumulation and distribution in the tissues of inbred lines in maize (Zea mays L.)

We investigated arsenic (As) accumulation and distribution in four different tissues of maize, leaves, stems, bracts, and kernels. For these analyses, we used 122 elite inbred lines, which were grown in an As-contaminated area in China. The agricultural soil at the study site is highly As-contaminated (11.02?±?0.95?mg?As?kg?soil^?1) because of excessive use of As-rich surface water for irrigation. The As concentration in the leaves was significantly positively correlated with that in stems and kernels, and the As concentration in the stems was significantly positively correlated with that in the kernels. In the 122 inbred lines, the highest average As concentration was in the leaves, followed by the stems, the bracts, and then the kernels. The range of As concentrations in leaves, stems, bracts, and kernels of the 122 inbred lines was 0.13–1.48, 0.017–0.145, 0.013–0.131, and 0.0001–0.0408?mg?As?kg^?1, respectively. The inbred lines with low As concentrations in the kernels perhaps could be used as a parent to select an elite hybrid with low As concentration for decreasing the As damage for people and animal.     

Agronomic evaluation of testcrosses of drought-tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines using different selection index methods

The present study aims at identifying potentially high-yielding testcross maize hybrids using different selection indices that consider agronomic traits other than grain yield alone. Forty-one (41) testcross hybrids developed from 20 elite drought-tolerant maize inbred lines and two inbred testers plus three hybrid checks were evaluated in the rainy seasons of 2013 and 2014 in Ogbomoso in the derived savanna agroecological zone of Nigeria. Hybrids were planted in each year in 11 × 4 lattices with two replications. Testcross hybrids and checks exhibited significant differences for all measured traits except ear height, husk cover and number of ears per plant. Grain yield of hybrids and checks averaged over the 2 years varied from 3117 to 8393 kg ha^?1 with a mean of 5935 kg ha^?1. Top 11 hybrids produced vigorous plants, each yielding >7000 kg ha^?1. Base index and multivariate index methods identified EXL11 × 9071 whereas base index and Smith–Hazel selection index methods identified EXL18 × 9071 as superior hybrids at 5% selection intensity. These hybrids will be considered for advanced breeding program and release to farmers as high-yielding drought-tolerant hybrid maize varieties in the increasingly drought-prone derived savanna agroecology of Nigeria.     

Relationship between fatty acid profile and vitamin E content in maize hybrids (Zea mays L.)

The balance between the vitamin E (tocochromanols) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents mainly determines the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation and the storage stability of corn oil. In 1997, field experiments were conducted at two different locations to evaluate a collection of 30 corn hybrids for fatty acid profiles and tocochromanol contents. Hybrids differed significantly (p < 0.01) for major fatty acids, as well as for tocochromanol contents and composition. The major fatty acids were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids, whose contents were in the ranges 9.2-12.1%, 19.5-30.5%, and 53.0-65.3%, respectively. The tocopherol contents ranged as follows: alpha-tocopherol, 67-276 mg (kg of oil)(-1); beta-tocopherol, 0-20 mg (kg of oil)(-1); gamma-tocopherol, 583-1048 mg (kg of oil)(-1); delta-tocopherol, 12-71 mg (kg of oil)(-1); total tocopherol, 767-1344 mg (kg of oil)(-1). gamma-Tocopherol was the predominant derivative among all tocopherols. The tocotrienol contents were in the ranges 46-89, 53-164, and 99-230 mg (kg of oil)(-1) for alpha-, gamma-, and total tocotrienol contents, respectively. The tocotrienol profile was not characterized by the predominance of any tocotrienol homologue. alpha-Tocopherol was positively correlated with PUFA (r = 0.41) and with the vitamin E equivalent (vit E equiv) (r = 0.84), and it was not correlated with gamma-tocopherol. gamma-Tocopherol was highly correlated with total tocopherol and tocochromanol contents (r = 0.93 and r = 0.90, respectively), indicating that the contribution of this vitamer to the total tocochromanol content is the most important among all tocochromanols. The high positive correlation found between the vit E/PUFA ratio and the vit E equiv, as well as the absence of correlation between this ratio and PUFA indicates that a higher vit E/PUFA ratio can be easier achieved be increasing the vitamin E content than by modifying fatty acid profile in corn oil.     

孜然套种玉米田间优化配置模式研究

试验研究了河西走廊孜然套种玉米的田间优化配置模式.结果表明:4种套种方式T1、T2、T3、T4对孜然、玉米的株高、根系活力、光合速率、叶绿素含量及其产量农艺性状均有不同程度的影响.以T3、T4套种模式最优,即孜然密度在12万株· hm-2(播量22.5 kg·hm-2),玉米密度控制在5.25万～6.00万株· hm-2,相应的株行距在20 cm×(85～95) cm范围内,孜然、玉米生长协调,群体结构合理,田间通气透光良好,植株生长健壮,农艺性状优良,可获得孜然、玉米高产高效.     

Variation in cell wall composition among forage maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and its impact on digestibility: analysis of neutral detergent fiber composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Cell wall digestibility is an important determinant of forage quality, but the relationship between cell wall composition and digestibility is poorly understood. We analyzed the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fraction of nine maize inbred lines and one brown midrib3 mutant with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Among 29 pyrolysis fragments that were quantified, two carbohydrate-derived and six lignin-derived fragments showed statistically significant genetic variation. The pyrolysis products 4-vinyl phenol and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-vinyl phenol were negatively correlated with digestibility, whereas furfural and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanal showed a positive correlation with digestibility. Linear discriminant analysis of the pyrolysis data resulted in the resolution of groups of inbred lines with different digestibility properties based on their chemical composition. These analyses reveal that digestibility is governed by complex interactions between different cell wall compounds, but that several pyrolysis fragments can be used as markers to distinguish between maize lines with different digestibility.     

Effect of commercial lignosulfonate-humate on Zea mays L. metabolism

Lignosulfonate-humate a and lignosulfonate-humate b, derived by an industrial process from lignin, were studied chemically and biologically, and their effects on maize metabolism compared with the responses induced by humic substances obtained from leonardite. Lignosulfonate-humate a and lignosulfonate-humate b elicited hormonelike activity and leonardite displayed giberellin properties. To improve our understanding of their biological action, lignosulfonate-humate a, lignosulfonate-humate b and leonardite were supplied to maize plants and their effect was studied on growth, nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis. All products increased root and leaf growth. Glutamine-synthetase, glutamate-synthase enzyme activities and protein content were all increased. The treatments also increased chlorophyll content, glucose, fructose and rubisco enzyme activity, suggesting a positive role of lignosulfonate-humate a, lignosulfonate-humate b and leonardite in the photosynthetic process. In addition, an increase in phenol content was observed. In light of these results, being environmentally friendly products, lignosulfonate-humate a and lignosulfonate-humate b could be used to increase crop yield.     

Root size and nitrogen‐uptake activity in two maize (Zea mays) inbred lines differing in nitrogen‐use efficiency

Considerable differences in response to nitrogen (N) availability among plant species and cultivars have been well documented. Focusing on the uptake of N, it is not clear which factor or factors determine efficient N acquisition. Two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines (478, N‐efficient; W312, N‐inefficient) were used to compare the relative contribution of root uptake activity and root size to N acquisition. Nitrogen‐efficient inbred 478 had higher yields and accumulated more N under field conditions than W312 under both high‐ (135 kg N ha^–1) and low‐N (no N supplied) conditions. The root system of 478, as indicated by total root length, root biomass, and root‐to‐shoot ratio, was larger and more responsive to low N stress. Especially, 478 developed more and longer axial roots at low N stress. On the contrary, the average N‐accumulation rate in 478 was lower than that of Wu312. In solution culture, ¹³NO₃^– influx in 478 was lower than in W312 after 8 h of nitrate provision. The expression of nitrate‐transporter genes ZmNRT1.1, ZmNRT2.1, ZmNRT2.2, and ZmNAR2.1 was stronger and lasted for a longer time after NO induction in W312. It is concluded that the efficient N acquisition in 478 is due to (1) a larger root system and (2) a stronger response of root growth to low N induction.     

Characterization of a flint maize (Zea mays L. convar. mays) Italian landrace: I. Morpho-phenological and agronomic traits

Maize (Zea mays L.) landraces have the highest genetic variation and adaptation to the natural and anthropological environment where they have evolved. Surveying both qualitative and quantitative morphological traits of existing landraces may be useful in maintaining their genetic diversity and preserving them from genetic erosion. Our research deals with the morpho-phenological and agronomic characterization of a flint maize landrace, named 'Nostrano di Storo', still grown in an inland hilly environment in the low valley of Chiese River in Trentino, North-Eastern Italy. The majority of plants from twenty field populations proved to belong, with few exceptions (NSt2, NSt9, NSt11), to a single population. It means that the plant material long grown in this area and maintained by local farmers through yearly selection forms a single landrace within which some populations (i.e. NSt1, NSt3, NSt4, NSt7, NSt10, NSt18, NSt19, NSt20) could be considered as most representative and taken as 'core'. This is supported by the fact that the genetic variability was much higher within than between field populations: half of the plant and ear traits investigated did not show any significant difference between populations whereas all traits but two showed highly significant differences within populations. Selection carried out over the years by each farmer according to his own criteria produced little genetic differentiation within the original population. Gene flow among farmer populations, most likely occurred through both pollen dispersion to neighboring cultivated fields and seed exchange among farmers, may help to explain the low genetic differentiation. This information is useful for both planning conservation and recognizing the landrace as a unique germplasm source of specific geographic origin.     

Wood biochar produces different rates of root growth and transpiration in two maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) under drought stress

This study investigated the effects of wood-derived biochar (BC) applied at 1% to a C-poor silty-loam soil in the drought-tolerant (D24) and in the drought-sensitive (P1921) Pioneer Hi-Bred maize hybrids in pot and field trials (NE Italy). D24 had better growth than P1921 under rain-fed conditions without irrigation and soil amendment. The addition of biochar increased root growth in D24 (+38% root area) and decreases it in P1921 (?9%) at the silking stage, while the fraction of finer roots (<250 µm diam.) was reduced in D24 and increased in P1921. This led both hybrids to maintain the maximum transpiration at a lower fraction of transpirable soil water (from 82% to 45% in D24, and from 46% to 22% in P1921). There were no significant variations in plant nutrient contents, productivity and in the protein and starch contents of the grains, whereas the lipid content was reduced by biochar, particularly in P1921 (2.6% vs. 3% DW, ?13%).

We conclude that biochar can be profitably used to enhance drought tolerance in maize, possibly due to improvements in the physicochemical characteristics and the water content of treated soils, although maximum benefits are expected in drought-tolerant hybrids through increased root elongation and transpiration.     

Exogenous application of humic acid and salicylic acid to alleviate seedling drought stress in two corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Efficacy of 1?mM humic (HA) and salicylic (SC) acids on SC 260 and SC 705 corn seedlings to alleviate drought stress via polyethylene glycol was studied via hydroponics at Shiraz University, Iran in a factorial, randomized design, with four replicates each. Under stress, SC 260 had higher electrolyte leakage compared to SC 705, and exogenous application of HA combined with SA decreased SC 705 electrolyte leakage. As a general trend, photosynthetic pigment content, relative water content, root and shoot length, mean number and diameter of central and peripheral root metaxylem, and K⁺ accumulation were higher in SC 705 treated with HA and SA compared to SC 260. Application of HA with SA could be an effective and low cost approach to ensure seedling establishment and plant growth in fields affected by soil drought in the early season, especially for the SC 705 corn hybrid in semi-arid regions.     

Genetic diversity of papaya (Carica papaya L.) F5 recombinant inbred lines using the Ward-MLM strategy

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The development of segregating populations in papaya allows the development of new high fruit yield and excellent fruit quality pure line or hybrid cultivars....     

Codigested dairy slurry as a phosphorus and nitrogen source for Zea mays L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.

Residues from biogas production contain essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) but also organic matter, and should be recycled in crop production. For efficient re‐use as fertilizers, the availability of nutrients for crops and the effect of the residues on soil fertility need to be evaluated. Focusing on the element P, we compared effects of codigested slurry with dairy slurry, highly soluble mineral NPK fertilizer, and a control without any P supply (NK). Codigested slurry used in this experiment was based on anaerobic digestion of dairy slurry, maize silage, and wheat grain. The fertilizing effects were tested in an 8‐week pot experiment on a sandy and a loamy soil using two crop species (Zea mays L., Amaranthus cruentus L.). The plant P uptake was up to 64% greater in the slurry treatments than in the treatment without P. The effect of codigested slurry on P uptake was comparable to that of dairy slurry and mineral P. Plant N uptake from codigested slurry was lower than that from mineral N (NK, NPK), but tended to be higher than from dairy slurry. The water‐soluble and double lactate–soluble P content of the soil was lower in the slurry treatments than in the mineral‐P treatments and accompanied by higher contents of microbial‐bound P. Differences between both organic fertilizers were detected for dehydrogenase activity which was up to 32% lower in soils fertilized with codigested slurry than it was in soils fertilized with dairy slurry. Our results indicate that codigestion of slurries in biogas plants does not substantially alter their fertilizer value as P and N sources for crops.     

Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of commercial corn (Zea mays) hybrids in Mississippi

Resistance to mycotoxin contamination was compared in field samples harvested from 45 commercial corn (maize) hybrids and 5 single-cross aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines in years with high and moderate heat stress. In high heat stress, mycotoxin levels were (4.34 +/- 0.32) x 10(3) microg/kg [(0.95-10.5 x 10(3) microg/kg] aflatoxins and 11.2 +/- 1.2 mg/kg (0-35 mg/kg) fumonisins in commercial hybrids and 370 +/- 88 microg/kg (140-609 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 4.0 +/- 1.3 mg/kg (1.7-7.8 mg/kg) fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines. Deoxynivalenol was detected (one-fourth of the samples, 0-1.5 mg/kg), but not zearalenone. In moderate heat stress, mycotoxin levels were 6.2 +/- 1.6 microg/kg (0-30.4 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 2.5 +/- 0.2 mg/kg (0.5-4.8 mg/kg) fumonisins in commercial hybrids and 1.6 +/- 0.7 microg/kg (0-7 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 1.2 +/- 0.2 mg/kg (0.5-3.0 mg/kg) fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines. The results are consistent with heat stress playing an important role in the susceptibility of corn to both aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination, with significant reductions of both aflatoxins and fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines.     

Effects of drought stress and rewatering on antioxidant systems and relative water content in different growth stages of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Drought is a problem of the expanding universe which seriously influences crop production and quality. Approximately one-third of the cultivated area of the world suffers from constantly inadequate supplies of water. The present study aimed to determine the effects of drought and rewatering on activities of antioxidant enzymes, chlorophyll, proline, and relative water contents (RWC). In this experiment, six maize hybrids (Sc260, Sc370, Sc500, Sc647, Sc700, and Sc704) were examined in a pot study during the maize-growing season of 2011. Results indicated that the growth of hybrids was retarded under drought stress conditions and regained growth speed during rewatering. RWC, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were markedly decreased by the water deficit and reached normal values during rewatering in Sc647, Sc704, and Sc700. Our findings also indicated significantly higher activity levels of peroxidase and catalase and proline content in water-stressed plants than in well-watered plants, which decreased when the plants were rewatered, showing an inverse relationship to gluthatione reductase activity. According to the results, the better upregulation of the protective mechanism in Sc704 and Sc647 probably induced higher drought resistance. We concluded that antioxidant enzyme activity could provide a useful tool for depicting drought tolerance in maize hybrids in arid and semiarid regions.     

Composition and thermal stability of anthocyanins from chinese purple corn ( Zea mays L.)

Chinese purple corn extracts ( Zea mays L., Zhuozhou, Hebei, China) (EZPC) were selected among five Chinese purple corn hybrids due to their higher anthocyanin content, and their thermal stability was evaluated. The total anthocyanin content and total phenolic content of EZPC were 304.5 +/- 16.32 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equiv/100 g of dry seeds and 489.8 +/- 24.90 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of dry seeds, respectively. Moreover, the individual anthocyanins of EZPC were determined by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS analysis. Seven main compounds were determined, including cyanidin-3-(malonylglucoside), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-2-malonylglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-(malonylglucoside), pelargonidin-3-(6'-malonylglucoside), and peonidin-3-(dimalonylglucoside). The thermal stability of EZPC was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the conversion of EZPC followed an Arrhenius relationship, where the delta enthalpy (H) and activation energy (E(a)) were 97.0 J/g and 204 +/- 2.72 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the relationships between the degree of conversion of EZPC and time or temperature were reported. This study demonstrated that the evaluated Chinese purple corn hybrids are a natural source of anthocyanins and are stable over a wide range of temperatures and times.     

Breeding strategy for resistance to Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze based on genetic diversity and population structure of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) lines

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major staple crop in southern Africa and is produced on millions of hectares. However, its yield is greatly reduced by Striga spp. a...     

不同氮效率玉米品种亲本自交系花粒期氮素转运特性

【目的】为明确不同氮效率玉米品种亲本自交系花粒期氮转运与代谢特性,从溯源的角度探析不同氮效率玉米品种亲本自交系花粒期的氮素吸收、转运与利用特性。【方法】以氮高效型玉米品种‘鲁单818’的亲本自交系 (母本Qx508,父本Qxh0121) 和氮低效型玉米品种‘鲁单981’亲本自交系 (母本Q319,父本Lx9801) 为供试材料,盆栽条件下研究不同氮素供应水平 (N 0 g/盆、7.1 g/盆和14.2 g/盆,记作N0、N1和N2) 对4个不同氮效率玉米亲本自交系花粒期干物质积累、氮素积累、氮素分配与利用效率以及叶片氮代谢关键酶硝酸还原酶活性、可溶性蛋白含量变化的影响,并探讨分析不同氮效率玉米品种氮素利用的生理机制与遗传特性。【结果】吐丝后各自交系干物质由营养器官向生殖器官转移,表现为茎叶干物重显著降低,穗和粒的干物重显著增加,且Qxh0121和Q319的干物质重均显著高于其另一亲本。从吐丝到成熟,茎鞘和叶的氮含量均呈降低的趋势,穗和粒的氮含量显著增加,且Qxh0121和Q319自交系叶片、茎鞘、籽粒氮含量均显著高于其另一亲本自交系。花后氮吸收量均表现为Qxh0121显著高于Qx508,Q319显著高于Lx9801。且在低氮 (N1) 和高氮 (N2) 处理下,Qxh0121氮转运效率较Qx508分别高29.2%和14.3%,花后氮转运对籽粒贡献率较Qx508分别高74.0%和17.4%。Q319氮转运效率较Lx9801分别高43.4%和24.7%,花后氮转运对籽粒贡献率较Lx9801分别高75.3%和39.6%。Qxh0121和Q319的产量和氮肥利用效率也高于对应的自交系。在N1和N2水平下,Qxh0121的产量比Qx508分别高43.3%和42.5%,Q319的产量比Lx9801分别高20.2%和10.5%。吐丝至成熟期叶片硝酸还原酶 (NR) 活性和可溶性蛋白含量的变化均呈单峰曲线,高峰期在吐丝后10 d左右。Qxh0121和Q319的NR活性和可溶性蛋白含量在各时期均高于其另一亲本,表现出较强的氮素吸收和同化能力。【结论】氮高效型玉米品种‘鲁单818’表现为父本高效,氮低效型玉米品种‘鲁单981’表现为母本高效。因此,未来育种应充分挖掘‘鲁单818’的父本Qxh0121及‘鲁单981’的母本Q319的氮高效潜力,提高其花前氮的转移效率以及花后氮向籽粒的分配能力,是其对应杂交种进一步实现高产并增加籽粒氮浓度、减少秸秆氮素残留的关键。     

Antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of phenolic fractions from Andean purple corn (Zea mays L.)

The antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of various phenolic fractions obtained from Andean purple corn were examined by the Ames test and the DPPH antiradical assay. An anthocyanin-rich water fraction (WF) and an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed a dose-dependent antimutagenic behavior against the food mutagen Trp-P-1 with IC50 values of 321.7 +/- 21.36 and 95.2 +/- 10.95 microg of chlorogenic acid equiv/plate, respectively, indicating that EAF was a more potent antimutagen. The antioxidant activities for WF and EAF were 1.019 +/- 0.05 and 0.838 +/- 0.11 microg of Trolox equiv/mug of phenolics, respectively. Further fractionation of WF and EAF revealed an ethyl acetate subfraction, EA-IV, with high antimutagen potency that contained a quercetin derivative. The mechanism of antimutagenic action of the WF is predominantly a blocking effect on the S-9 Mix activation system of the mutagen, whereas for the EAF, it is a dual mechanism involving blocking of the S-9 Mix and a scavenging action on Trp-P-1 electrophiles.