Grain quality of corn hybrids of different ripeness groups depending on the application rates of mineral fertilizers

Abstract

One of the most important elements of the nutritional value of corn grain is the evaluation criteria for quality indicators, which make it possible to determine the need for certain nutrients. It is unique, because the grain of this crop contains 80% of all nutrients that are needed for development of human body, and microelements in a digestible form. The primary role in improving the quality of corn grain belongs to selection aimed at creating high-protein forms. It is known that the chemical composition of corn grain can vary significantly depending on the growing conditions: at high temperatures the accumulation of protein is more intense, late-ripening forms in dry years have a larger amount of protein in the grain. It is necessary to carefully select hybrids for a specific soil-climatic zone in order to successfully regulate productivity and improve quality of grain, taking into account their biological requirements, and to develop effective cultivation agromeasures aimed at the processes occurring in plants in different phases of their growth and development.

Studies conducted in the department of seed production and seed science of the Institute of Agriculture of Carpathian Region of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine during 2019–2021, confirmed that depending on the rate of mineral fertilizers' application on gray forestal surface-gleyed soils of Ukrainian Western Forest-Steppef corn yield was also determined by the maturity group of the hybrid. The application rates of mineral fertilizers N₁₂₀P₉₀K₉₀ and N₁₅₀P₉₀K₉₀ are substantiated, at which the increase in yield compared to the control (without fertilizers) was 0.81–0.84 and 2.19–2.20 t/ha. The formation of a higher mass of 1000 grains by 8.8–11.5 and 11.9–12.1 g was determined, which took place under the influence of the ability of hybrids of different ripeness groups to respond positively to weather factors and mineral nutrition systems. In the variants of mineral nutrition of plants, the moisture content of corn grain in the phase of full ripeness prevailed in the control (without fertilizers). It is proved that the quality of grain depended on the ripeness group of the hybrid and the norms of applied mineral fertilizers. In hybrids of the early ripening group, the protein content increased from 10.26 to 11.18% at the norm of N₁₅₀P₉₀K₉₀, in the middle early ones – from 10.36 to 11.45%; in terms of the content of fat, fiber, ash and NFE (nitrogen-free extractives of absolutely dry matter) there was a slight decrease in indicators.