Nutrients status in maize grain from sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Maize cultivation with application of proper organic and bio-fertilizers could increase nutritional value of crop grain and maintain soil fertility. The aim of the study was to examine variations in concentrations of phytate, soluble phenols, total glutathione (GSH), yellow pigment (YP), DPPH radical scavenging capacity (DPPH), Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn in maize hybrids with white, yellow and red colour grain, under the influence of bio-, organic fertilizer and urea in regard to control (without fertilization). Results indicated that phytate, DPPH, Ca, Mg and, Mn varied slightly (< 10%). Red grain maize was characterized with the highest concentrations of phenols, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and DPPH. White grain maize, particularly in urea and bio-fertilizer treatment, accumulated higher GSH values, while red and especially yellow grain hybrid accumulated higher YP amount in urea treatment. Irrespective to lower variations in Mn concentration, higher values were determined in yellow hybrid. Organic fertilizer mainly induced increase in Mg bio-fertilizer which positively affected Fe accumulation, while urea caused higher Zn and Mn accumulation in maize grain. It could be concluded that yellow and particularly red grain hybrid enabled increased accumulation of mineral elements, together with higher DPPH values, mainly in treatments with organic fertilizer and urea giving it advantage in production of highly nutritious food.