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The objective was to evaluate the influence of germ storage (0, 30, and 60 days) from different corn genotypes (yellow floury, white floury, and yellow flint corn) on technological properties and fatty acid, tocopherol, and carotenoid profiles of oil. There was an increase in γ-tocopherol, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin in yellow flint corn oil according to the increase of storage time. There was a reduction in linoleic acid in yellow floury and flint corn oils as the storage time increased. There was a reduction in γ-tocopherol and lutein in yellow and white floury corn as the storage time increased. The α-tocopherol decreased during storage in all genotypes. Yellow flint corn is indicated for extraction of oil due to the great conservation of germ during storage and higher content of carotenoids. White floury corn, despite having a higher content of tocopherols in oil, showed higher degradation during storage which increases the production costs of oil.

The research was carried out with the aim to investigation the effects on grain yield and some seed characteristics of leaf, tassel removal and together treatments in maize during 2018 and 2019 years. The experiments were set up according to a Randomized Complete Block Design in a split-plot arrangement with three replicates, where cultivars were in the main plots while the practices were in subplots within the main plots using Bora (dent corn) and Karadeniz Yildizi (flint corn) maize cultivars. Effect on yield and seed characteristics of leaf (LR) and tassel removal (TR) and leaf x tassel removal interaction (LRxTR) were positive in both cultivars. The highest seed width (5.25 and 5.58 mm, respectively), seed length (9.89 and 10.21 mm, respectively), seed number per ear (642.2 and 669.6 number, respectively), 1000 grain weight (412.9 and 416.6 g, respectively), hectoliter weight (74.9 and 75.2 kg, respectively) and grain yield (1268.3 and 1334.8 kg da-1, respectively) were determined from the LRxTR interaction on dent corn in both years. However, YS+UA and UA treatments were included in the same statistical group. Generally, the lowest yield and seed characteristics were recorded in control treatment. The tassel removal treatment could be recommended due to its positive effects on yield and seed characteristics.

Rehydrated and ensiled mature ground corn has high ruminal starch digestibility, but particle size (PS) and dietary starch proportion (ST) can affect starch digestion and lactating cow performance. We evaluated the effect of rehydrated and ensiled corn (REC), PS, and ST on intake, lactation performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation profile, and chewing behavior of dairy cows. Kernels from an 84% vitreousness hybrid were finely (FN) or coarsely (CS) ground, yielding geometric mean particle sizes of 1,591 and 2,185 µm, respectively. Ground kernels were rehydrated [60% dry matter (DM)] and ensiled in 200-L buckets for ≥205 d. The grinding rate (t/h) was 3.9 for FN and 11.7 for CS. The PS did not affect DM loss (11.3% of ensiled) or silage pH (3.8). Samples of each bucket (n = 15/PS) before and after silage fermentation were incubated in situ for 0, 3, 6, 18, and 48 h in 4 rumen-cannulated lactating cows. Ensiling increased the effective ruminal in situ DM degradation (63.7 vs. 34.1%), regardless of PS. Sixteen Holstein cows (152 ± 96 d in milk) in 4 × 4 Latin squares (21-d periods) were individually fed a 2 × 2 factorial combination of low (LO) or high (HI) starch diets with FN or CS. Cows were fed the same REC incubated in situ. Varied concentration of starch in the diet (29.2 vs. 23.5% of DM) was achieved by partial replacement of REC (22.0 vs. 14.2% of DM) with citrus pulp (0 vs. 8.2% of DM). Milk, protein, fat, and lactose yields did not differ. Milk fat percentage was reduced and protein percentage was increased by HI. Treatment FN increased feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk/digestible organic matter intake) when fed with HI. Total-tract starch digestibility tended to be reduced by CS (96.4 vs. 97.2% of starch intake). Serum β-hydroxybutyrate was increased by LO. High-starch diet reduced the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate in ruminal fluid and increased propionate and isoacids. Particle size did not affect ruminal fermentation profile. Coarse grinding reduced plasma d-lactate concentration with HI. Diet HI reduced the proportion of daily intake from 1900 to 0700 h and induced preferential intake of feed particles8 mm and greater refusal of particles19 mm in the morning. Fine REC reduced rumination time per day and increased eating time per DM intake. Milk and plasma urea-N did not differ. Ensiling of mature flint corn for200 d largely eliminated the effect of the PS of REC on the studied outcomes. The proportion of REC in the diet affected ruminal fermentation profile and milk solids concentration, but did not affect short-term performance and digestibility. Coarse grinding of REC may allow increasing the grinding rate and thus save labor and energy during ensiling.

Flint corn processing method [coarse ground corn (CGC; 3.2 mm average particle size) or steam-flaked corn (SFC; 0.360 kg/L flake density)] was evaluated in conjunction with 4 levels of NDF from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as roughage source (RNDF; 4%, 7%, 10%, and 13%; DM basis) to determine impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, starch utilization, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus beef cattle. Two hundred and forty Nellore bulls were blocked by initial BW (350 ± 37 kg), assigned to 32 feedlot pens and pens within weight block were randomly assigned, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (2 corn processing and 4 levels of RNDF) to treatments. Effects of corn grain processing × RNDF level were not detected (P ≥ 0.14) for growth performance, dietary net energy concentration, carcass traits, rumen morphometrics, and feeding behavior, except for time spent ruminating and time spent resting (P ≤ 0.04), and a tendency for papillae width (P ≤ 0.09). Bulls fed SFC-based diets consumed 7% less (P = 0.001), had 10.6% greater carcass-adjusted ADG (P < 0.001) and 19% greater carcass-adjusted feed efficiency (P < 0.001) compared with bulls fed CGC-based diets. Observed net energy for maintenance and gain values were 14.9% and 19.4% greater (P < 0.001), respectively, for SFC than for CGC-based diets. Fecal starch concentration was less (P < 0.001) for bulls fed SFC compared with those fed CGC. No grain processing effects were detected (P = 0.51) for rumenitis score; however, cattle fed SFC presented smaller ruminal absorptive surface area (P = 0.03). Dry matter intake increased linearly (P = 0.02) and carcass-adjusted feed efficiency tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly as RNDF increased. Dietary RNDF concentration did not affect carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.19), except for dressing percentage, which tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) as RNDF in finishing diets increased. Increasing RNDF in finishing diets had no effect (P = 0.26) on time spent eating, but time spent ruminating and resting increased linearly (min/d; P < 0.001) with increased dietary RNDF. Steam flaking markedly increased flint corn energy value, net energy of diets, and animal growth performance, and led to improvements on feed efficiency when compared with grinding, regardless of RNDF content of diets. Increasing dietary RNDF compromised feedlot cattle feed efficiency and carcass dressing.

In this investigation the potential of micro-Raman spectroscopy, coupled to a simple, standard chemometric method (principal component analysis, PCA), as a fast, cheap, field method to investigate maize kernel components (endosperm, germ and peel) is demonstrated. Particular emphasis was given to the determination of the relative protein and amylose/amylopectin contents in maize endosperm of yellow dent and purple flint corn species, the two major maize varieties produced in Turkey. It is shown that the studied yellow dent corn type has a comparatively larger content of protein (3.4%) and a higher amylopectin/amylose ratio in the endosperm than the studied purple flint variety (a 11% decrease of amylopectin was found in going from the studied yellow dent to the purple flint corn), while the germs of the two species differ mostly by the presence of a slightly larger amount of starch in the case of the yellow dent corn, the oil composition of both species being identical within the resolution of the used method of analysis. The spectra of the maize peels reveal essentially the presence of cellulose and lignin in similar amounts in the two types of corn.

This paper presents the features of corn as raw material for groat industry. Corn is used in many segments of the food and processing industry. corn is processed for traditional food products — groats, flakes, flour, extruded foods, and other corn byproducts are widely used for the production of dry breakfast cereals, snacks, cereal bars. In terms of using of the advanced processing technologies, the industry produces starch, gluten, and germs. Corn germ is used to produce the high-value vegetable oil, as well as starch — for both food and non-food purposes. More than half (65%) of corn is used for feed purposes, 25% –technical purposes, and nearly 20% – for various types of food production. corn is processed for traditional food products — groats, flakes, flour, extruded foods, and other corn by-products are widely used for the production of dry breakfast cereals, snacks, cereal bars. For the colour, corn is divided into white and yellow types. According to the literature data analysis, yellow corn is more used in China, Argentina, Brazil, while white corn — in some countries of Asia, Latin America, and the Balkan countries. Depending on its morphological features, the corn kernelis divided into various groups, species and subspecies. In Ukraine corn kernel is classified into 8 types, with separately defined limitations on the content of the major crop in the batch, grains of other type, etc. Corn of І-VІІІ types with the quality indicators specified in the standard, for the production of food products. Flint and dent corn types are the most applied grain varieties in the industry, they are widely used in the production segment of food and feed products. Sweet corn is widely used as a vegetable crop in the food canning, food concentrates, starch and brewing industries due to its flavor properties. Popped corn is not only the most convenient raw material for the production of popcorn, but it also can be used as the raw material for the production of corn curls and dry breakfast cereals By analyzing the weight fraction of fat in kernels of different corn varieties we can note that the lowest number of fat is typical for popped corn (4.0%) and the largest – for sweet corn (9.1%); dent and flint corn have the same total fat number (4.5-4.9%).Test weight of corn types – popped corn ranges within 712-826 g/l, dent corn - 875-893 g/l, and flint corn - 768-786 g/l. The weight of 1000 kernels of corn depending on the varieties changes within 150-600 g.

The use of grazing systems for milk production is widely used globally because it is a lower-cost feeding system. However, under tropical conditions, the energy content of pastures became is a limitation to improve animal performance and efficiency while reducing the environmental impact. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of supplying different dietary sources of energy to lactating dairy cows grazing tropical pastures on the recovery of human-edible (HE) nutrients in milk and the environmental impact. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously. In experiment 1, forty early lactating dairy cows were used in a randomized block design. In experiment 2, four late-lactating rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. All cows had free access to pasture and treatments were applied individually as a concentrate supplement. Treatments were flint corn grain-processing method either as fine ground (FGC) or steam-flaked (SFC) associated with Ca salts of palm fatty acids supplementation either not supplemented (CON) or supplemented (CSPO). We observed that feeding cows with SFC markedly reduced urinary nitrogen excretion by 43%, and improved milk nitrogen efficiency by 17% when compared with FGC. Additionally, we also observed that feeding supplemental fat improved milk nitrogen efficiency by 17% compared with cows receiving CON diets. A tendency for decreased methane (CH4) per unit of milk (−31%), CH4 per unit of milk energy output (−29%), and CH4 per unit of milk protein output (−31%) was observed when CSPO was fed compared with CON. Additionally, SFC diets increased HE recovery of indispensable amino acids by 7–9% when compared with FGC diets, whereas feeding supplemental fat improved HE recovery of indispensable amino acids by 17–19% compared with CON. Altogether, this study increased our understanding of how manipulating energy sources in the dairy cow diet under tropical grazing conditions can benefit HE nutrient recovery and reduce nutrient excretion.

The objective of this study was to review the effect of ensiling on the feeding value of flint corn grain and performance of feedlot cattle. In this meta-analysis, ensiled corn grain included both high-moisture corn and rehydrated corn grain. The criteria for a publication enter in the database were: diet was offered as a total mixed ration, diet contained at least 300 g/kg dry matter (DM) of ensiled or dry corn grain, and ensiled grain contained a minimum of 280 g/kg of moisture. The final dataset included 21 paired comparisons from eight publications, from 2002 to 2019. A sub dataset of digestibility trials contained six paired comparisons for starch digestibility and five paired comparisons for DM digestibility. The outcomes were compared using the Mixed procedure of SAS, including a random effect of comparison within study (paired comparison). Ensiling corn grain increased total-tract digestibility of DM (+4.59%) and starch (+3.33%), decreased DM intake by 14.1% (10.3 and 8.85 kg/d for dry and ensiled, respectively) and metabolizable energy intake by 4.39%, but did not affect average daily gain (1.61 and 1.58 kg/d for dry and ensiled corn, respectively). Therefore, ensiling corn grain increased feed efficiency by 18.3% (0.164 and 0.194, for dry and ensiled, respectively). The feeding value was on average 25.7% higher for ensiled corn grain compared with dry corn grain. Ensiling is an efficient strategy to improve the caloric value of flint corn grain for finishing cattle.

Narasin is an antibacterial agent that may change rumen fermentation. Two experiments were proposed to evaluate the efficiency of narasin inclusion for lambs fed a diet containing high amounts of ground flint corn. Thirty rumen-cannulated wethers were used to evaluate nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen metabolism (Exp. 1); and forty-five lambs were used to evaluate performance (Exp. 2) of animals fed with narasin for high flint corn diets. The experimental diets were: control or basal diet without additives (C); 25 mg of monensin kg−1 of dry matter (DM) (M); and inclusion of 5 (N5), 10 (N10), and 15 (N15) mg of narasin kg−1 of DM. The statistical analyses were performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Monensin increased DM digestibility compared to C ( p = 0.01) and increasing doses of narasin linearly increased DM digestibility ( p < 0.01). There was a quadratic effect ( p = 0.10) for molar proportion of acetate peaking at N15. Monensin inclusion increased ( p = 0.07) propionate compared to C; however, it did not differ from narasin. The increasing levels of narasin linearly decreased the total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen ( p = 0.02). Monensin and C showed a similar performance. The increasing levels of narasin linearly increased ( p ≤ 0.04) average daily gain and feed efficiency. Monensin and narasin changed rumen fermentation and improved overall nutrient digestibility. However, lambs that received narasin showed improved performance when compared with animals that received M.

Two experiments were proposed to evaluate the addition of monensin for lambs fed diets containing a high level of mature ground flint corn. The experimental diets were as follows: no inclusion of monensin (M0) and inclusion of 8 (M8), 16 (M16) and 24 mg kg–1 of monensin (M24). In experiment 1, eight cannulated wethers were divided into a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design to evaluate nutrient digestibility, plasma parameters and rumen fermentation. The experiment lasted 112 days, divided into four periods of 28 days each. In experiment 2, ninety-two lambs were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the performance over 56 days. In experiment 1, doses of monensin had no effect on nutrient intake (p ≥ 0.07) and digestibility (p ≥ 0.09). There was a quadratic effect for acetate molar proportion (p = 0.01), acetate to propionate ratio (p = 0.04) and rumen pH (p < 0.01). However, there was no effect on the molar proportion of propionate and butyrate. The monensin decreased linearly the total SCFA concentration (p < 0.01). The inclusion of monensin increased glucose (p < 0.01) and decreased lactate concentration in plasma (p = 0.05). In experiment 2, monensin decreased dry matter intake (p = 0.04). However, there was a quadratic effect for average daily gain (p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p < 0.01), with the greatest values observed for the M8 diet. Thus, the inclusion of 8 mg kg–1 of dry matter diet (DM) improves ruminal fermentation and plasma parameters, resulting in greater growth performance in lambs.

Our objective was to examine the effects of processing, moisture, and anaerobic storage length of reconstituted corn grain (RCG) on the fermentation profile, geometric mean particle size (GMPS), and ruminal dry matter disappearance (DMD). Dry corn kernels were ground (hammer mill, 5-mm screen) or rolled, then rehydrated to 30%, 35%, or 40% moisture, and stored for 0, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 d in laboratory silos. Rolled corn had an increased GMPS compared with ground corn (2.24 and 1.13 mm, respectively, at ensiling). However, there was a trend for an interaction between processing and moisture concentration to affect particle size, with GMPS increasing with increased moisture concentration, especially in ground corn. Longer storage periods also slightly increased GMPS. Processing, moisture, and storage length interacted to affect the fermentation pattern (two- or three-way interactions). Overall, pH decreased, whereas lactic acid, acetic acid, ethanol, and NH3-N increased with storage length. RCG with 30% moisture had less lactic acid than corn with 35% and 40% moisture, indicating that fermentation might have been curtailed and also due to the clostridial fermentation that converts lactic acid to butyric acid. Ensiling reconstituted ground corn with 30% of moisture led to greater concentrations of ethanol and butyric acid, resulting in greater DM loss than grain rehydrated to 35% or 40% of moisture. Ammonia-N and in situ ruminal DMD were highest for reconstituted ground corn with 35% or 40% of moisture, mainly after 60 d of storage. Therefore, longer storage periods and greater moisture contents did not offset the negative effect of greater particle size on the in situ ruminal DMD of rolled RCG. Nonetheless, RCG should be ensiled with more than 30% moisture and stored for at least 2 mo to improve the ruminal DMD and reduce the formation of ethanol and butyric acid.

Our objective was to determine the effects of maturity and storage length on the fermentation pattern, ruminal disappearance of nutrients, and recovery of digestible nutrients in flint corn (Zea mays L.) silage harvested with a pull-type machine without a kernel processor. Corn plants were harvested at 300 g kg−1 DM (low dry matter, LDM) or 400 g kg−1 DM (high dry matter, HDM) and stored for 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 d in laboratory silos. Corn harvested at HDM had a higher proportion of long particles (>19 mm), more intact kernels, and lower kernel processing score. There was an interaction between maturity and storage length for several fermentation end-products, DM recovery, ruminal disappearance of nutrients, and recovery of digestible DM. Overall, the concentrations of fermentation end-products were higher in LDM than in HDM silage. The DM recovery decreased over time, mainly for LDM silage. Ruminal disappearance of nutrients (starch, CP, and DM) increased with storage length, with greater values for LDM silage at shorter storage, but closer values among LDM and HDM at longer storage periods. The recovery of digestible DM (DM recovery × ruminal disappearance) slightly increased in LDM silage up to 26 d of fermentation, but it markedly increased in HDM silage, mainly up to 60 d of storage. Storing for longer periods is a strategy to partially offset the negative impact of maturity on the digestibility of flint corn silage harvested with pull-type machines without kernel processor.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drying temperature (30, 50, 70, and 90 °C) and genotype (yellow floury corn, white floury corn, and yellow flint corn) on the morphology and technological and thermal properties of corn starch. The white and yellow genotypes with floury endosperm (soft) had spherical starch granules, while the granules of the yellow flint genotype were polyhedral. White floury corn showed higher extraction yield, higher resistance during granules' swelling before the physical collapse, as it was not affected by the increase in drying temperature, and at 90 °C it presented higher breakdown and energy necessary for gelatinization. There were peak viscosity and gelatinization enthalpy reduction on starch from yellow floury corn and yellow flint corn according to the increase in drying temperature. Drying temperatures below 50 °C are indicated for all genotypes studied. White floury corn is indicated due to the higher extraction yield presented. Yellow floury corn is indicated for application in chilled and frozen products due to lower starch retrogradation. The yellow flint corn is indicated for application as a thickening agent due to higher gel hardness.

Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda, the causal agent of maize smut disease, can form enormous galls on cobs and cause significant yield losses under favorable conditions. In addition to yield losses, U . maydis may have an influence on the kernel quality in smutted cobs. The aim of this study was to determine presence of mycoflora on the cobs infected by U . maydis . A 2-year field experiment was conducted in Antalya Province. In the study, some maize cultivars belonging to various maize variety groups including dent corn, flint corn, sweet corn and popcorn were used as host plants. Inoculations were performed by injecting inoculum into ear silk of each cob of the plants in inoculated plots. For each treatment, control plots were also set up. When the kernels of cobs in control plots were mature enough to harvest, kernel samples in inoculated plots were taken from smutted cobs and investigated in terms of fungal flora. A total of 6 genera (Paecilomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Acremonium, Fusarium, Rhizopus) were detected from the kernels in the smutted cobs. However, fre-quently isolated species were Aspergillus fumigatus , A . niger , A . parasiticus ( A . flavus ), Paecilomyces lilacinus , Penicillium citrinum , Fusarium solani , F . oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer . The most frequently isolated genus was Aspergillus (31.4%), while the lowest one was Penicillium (6.4%). The study showed that U . maydis may affect kernel quality of maize by harboring some fungal microorganisms in smutted cobs.

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of de-oiled wet distillers bran plus solubles (WDBS) as a protein source [when included at 150 g/kg of diet dry matter (DM)] to replace soybean meal (SBM); or as a protein and energy source (when included at 300 and 450 g/kg of diet DM) to replace a mix of soybean meal, ground flint corn, and citrus pulp, and to evaluate the effects of corn oil inclusion (0 vs 30 g/kg of diet DM) in diets containing 0 to 450 g/kg of WDBS (DM basis). Two hundred and thirty-two Nellore bulls (BW = 425 ± 25 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of diets supplemented or not with 30 g/kg of corn oil (DM basis) each one combined with 4 inclusions of WDBS (0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg; DM basis). Bulls were blocked by initial shrunk BW and allocated into 40 pens (5 pens/treatment; 5 or 6 bulls/pen). Effects of corn oil × WDBS interaction were not detected (P ≥ 0.29) for feedlot growth performance, carcass traits, and dietary NE concentrations, except for dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.03). Increasing inclusion of WDBS linearly decreased DMI (P = 0.004) of finishing bulls fed diets without corn oil supplementation, but quadratically decreased DMI (P = 0.002) in diets containing 30 g/kg of corn oil, resulting in the observed interaction (P = 0.03). Feeding WDBS did not affect average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight (HCW), and dressing percentage of finishing bulls regardless of corn oil supplementation (P ≥ 0.18). Feed efficiency (G:F) tended (linear; P = 0.09) to increase due to WDBS inclusion. The inclusion of 30 g/kg corn oil (DM basis) in the diet tended (P = 0.07) to decrease DMI by 3% and increase G:F by 7.5% compared with diets not supplemented with corn oil. Including 30 g/kg of corn oil (DM basis) in the diet increased (P = 0.05) observed net energy of maintenance (NEm) and net energy of gain (NEg). Corn oil supplementation had no effect (P ≥ 0.19) on final BW, ADG, HCW, and dressing percentage. In summary, WDBS is as a protein supplement alternative to SBM when fed at 150 g/kg of the diet DM. The supplementation with corn oil is an effective way to increase the energy density of finishing diets containing WDBS.

Purple corn is a maize variety (Zea mays L.) with high anthocyanin content. When purple corn is used as forage, its anthocyanins may mitigate oxidative stresses causing lower milk production in dairy cows. In this study, we analyzed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for anthocyanin pigmentation of maize organs in an F2 population derived from a cross between the Peruvian cultivar 'JC072A' (purple) and the inbred line 'Ki68' (yellowish) belonged to Japanese flint. We detected 17 significant QTLs on chromosomes 1-3, 6, and 10. Because the cob accounts for most of the fresh weight of the plant ear, we focused on a significant QTL for purple cob on chromosome 6. This QTL also conferred pigmentation of anther, spikelet, leaf sheath, culm, and bract leaf, and was confirmed by using two F3 populations. The gene Pl1 (purple plant 1) is the most likely candidate gene in this QTL region because the amino acid sequence encoded by Pl1-JC072A is similar to that of an Andean allele, Pl-bol3, which is responsible for anthocyanin production. The markers designed for the Pl1 alleles will be useful for the breeding of F1 lines with anthocyanin pigmentation in cobs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole flint corn grain or tropical grass hay free choice, as a fiber source in the diet, on the performance, ruminal and intestinal development of Holstein dairy calves. Forty-two Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date and weight at 21 days of age (48.7 ± 0.82 kg), when the study started. Three solid diets were compared: 1) SC: starter concentrate only (24% CP, 14% NDF, 47% NFC); 2) SCH: starter concentrate, with free access to chopped Tifton-85 hay; and 3) SCW: starter concentrate with free access to whole flint corn grain. Animals were fed with 6 L/d until d 21, and then 4L/d of whole milk until gradual weaning at d 56. At weaning, 12 animals were randomly selected to be slaughtered to evaluate the weight of forestomach compartments and rumen and intestine morphometrics. Data were analyzed using the GLM or MIXED (repeated measures) procedure of SAS, and the means were compared using Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). The SCH diet increased the total DMI (P = 0.01) and ADG (P = 0.01). Calves fed with SCH diet presented higher total proximal digestive tract weight (kg; P < 0.01). The empty reticulum-rumen weight was higher in calves fed the SCH diet (P = 0.03). The papillae area was higher in calves fed with SCH diet (P = 0.05). The depth of the crypts and the number of goblet cells from the duodenum and cecum were not affected by diets; however, the duodenum villus height was higher for animals that received SCH (P = 0.02). The tropical grass hay supplementation in the diet improved performance, ruminal and intestinal development. The whole flint corn grain do not play a fiber role for dairy calves.

This study evaluated the rehydration approach of mature corn grains as an alternative for high-moisture corn grain silage production in distinct corn hybrids, storage period, cultivation locations and kernel maturity at plant harvest. High-moisture corn was used as a control. The dry matter content and pH of the silage were measured, and the bacterial community associated with corn grains pre- and post-ensiling was also assessed through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The decrease in pH value was directly linked to an ecological microbial succession of Enterobacteriales and Actinomycetales to Lactobacillales in the silage at 120 days after storage, either in rehydrated or high-moisture corn. These results were similar for both maize production locations and hybrids tested. Finally, the similarity between the ensiling processes including rehydrated corn and the high-moisture corn grain silages proves the reliability of the rehydration approach as an alternative for the maintenance of a successful bacterial community structure and composition capable of producing high-quality silages from dent and flint corn hybrids in tropical conditions.

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of source and concentration of α-amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) from roughage on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics in beef cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (408 ± 12 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets: 10% aNDF from corn silage (10CS); 20% aNDF from corn silage (20CS); or four diets containing 10% aNDF from corn silage and 10% aNDF from one of the following sources: sugarcane (SC), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), soybean hulls (SH), or low oil cottonseed hulls (LOCH). The parameters of passage and degradation kinetics were estimated based on a two-compartmental model with gamma- and exponential-distributed residence times. The nonlinear models were fitted by nonlinear least squares, and a linear mixed-effects model was fitted to all variables measured from the Latin square design that were related to intake, digestibility, digestion kinetic parameters, and residence times. Mean particle size (MPS) between roughage sources (CS, SCB, and SC) and coproducts (SH and LOCH) was affected (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SC, SH, or LOCH. Steers fed 20CS or LOCH diets had 16% and 20% greater DMI, respectively, (P < 0.05) than steers fed 10CS diet. Steers fed SCB consumed the least dry matter (DM). The SH and LOCH diets had lower MPS values (about 8.77 mm) in comparison to 20CS, SCB, and SC diets (about 13.08 mm) and, consequently, affected (P < 0.05) rumen content, ruminal in situ disappearance, nutrient digestibility, and solid fractional passage rate. Chewing time was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage sources and concentration. Lower values of distance travel inside the rumen (min/cm) were observed (P < 0.05) for the SCB and SC diets in comparison with any other diet. Except for SCB, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in rumen fill, among other treatments. Mean daily ruminal pH was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SCB, SC, and LOCH diets, and it ranged from 6.1 to 6.23. Total short-chain fatty acids concentration was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage source and concentration. Based on our results, we recommend that under Brazilian finishing diets, replacing roughage sources, except for SCB, based on aNDF concentration of the roughage in high-concentrate diets containing finely ground flint corn does not affect DMI.

Inhibitory activity of caraway and juniper essential oils was tested against two aflatoxigenic strains (Aspergillus flavus-four isolates and Aspergillus parasiticus-one isolate) using the method of agar plates. A. flavus IKBT and A. flavus IKB isolated from corn flour, A. flavus IKT isolated from peanuts, and A. flavus IKK isolated from flint corn. A. parasiticus CBS 260.67 was obtained from the Centralbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS, Utrecht, The Netherlands). The inhibitory effect of essential oils on aflatoxins secretion by A. flavus (isolated from maize flour) was examined in the polenta. Growth of all fungi were completely inhibited at caraway essential oil concentration of 4.5 mu l/g. At this concentration, aflatoxin secretion was completely inhibited in polenta. Juniper essential oil particularly inhibited growth of examined fungi at the applied concentration of 35 mu l/g (from 42.4% to 79.7%). At concentration of 50.0 mu l/g, this oil completely inhibited aflatoxin secretion in polenta. Practical applications The obtained results show that caraway essential oil had significantly better inhibitory effects against A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and aflatoxins production than juniper essential oil, in vitro and in polenta. Future research should point to the possible application of this oil in different types of food and the choice of an efficient method: adding them directly to the product, surface coating of the products, dispersing, applying them in the atmosphere of the package, coating the inner side of the packaging, applying in edible films, or in the form of nanocapsules. In the case of polenta, essential oils can be applied in the packaging atmosphere, by coating the inside of the package, or adding them directly to the polenta.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:37:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-05-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The objective of this study was to compare the conservation of rehydrated corn grain silage (RCGS) and high-moisture corn (HMC), treated or not with Lactobacillus buchneri, and to determine the minimum storage length necessary to improve ruminal in situ dry matter (DM) degradability. The treatments consisted of two grain sources, HMC and RCGS (rehydrated to 350 g/kg of moisture), inoculated with L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 at 1 × 10 5 cfu/g (LB) or chlorine free water (Control), and stored for 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 300 days. The concentrations of lactic, acetic, and propionic acids, and 1,2-propanediol were higher (P < 0.044), whereas butyric acid was lower (P < 0.001) in RCGS compared with HMC. Inoculation with LB reduced (P < 0.001) the concentration of lactic acid and increased (P < 0.001) the pH, acetic acid, and lactic acid bacteria counts. Therefore, silages inoculated with LB had prolonged aerobic stability. Silages inoculated with LB had more (P < 0.001) ammonia and less (P < 0.001) prolamin than that in Control silage, although ruminal in situ DM degradability was not affected by inoculation (P > 0.588). The content of ammonia and ruminal in situ DM degradability increased (P < 0.001) with the storage length, which coincided with a gradual decrease (P < 0.001) in prolamin concentration. According to a broken-line regression, higher gains in ruminal in situ DM degradability occurred up to 71 and 52 days of storage for HMC and RCGS, respectively. In summary, RCGS is an alternative to HMC, and L. buchneri improved the aerobic stability of RCGS and HMC. Based on the ruminal in situ DM degradability, it is recommended storing corn grain silages for at least two months before feeding. Department of Animal Sciences School of Veterinarian and Animal Sciences UFG Federal University of Goiás Department of Animal Sciences School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences UNESP São Paulo State University APTA Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios Polo Regional Alta Mogiana Department of Animal Science UEM State University of Maringá Department of Animal Sciences School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences UNESP São Paulo State University FAPESP: #2013/16720-2

This study aims to (1) verify the influence of flint corn processing methods on intake; rumen digestion kinetics; microbial efficiency; rumen pH; and ruminal, intestinal, and total tract digestibilities in Nellore bulls; and (2) determine whether snaplage (SNAP) plus a mineral–protein supplement could be used successfully to supply energy, fiber, and protein in a finishing diet without causing ruminal acidosis. Five rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (265 ± 18.2 kg, 8 ± 1.0 mo old) were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Five different diets were evaluated. Three experimental diets [dry matter (DM) basis] comprised 600 g/kg dry ground corn grain (DCG), high–moisture corn (HMC), or reconstituted corn grain silage (RCG) plus 300 g/kg whole-plant corn silage and 100 g/kg mineral–protein supplement. SNAP was included in two experimental diets, namely 900 g/kg SNAP (SNAP-90) or 800 g/kg SNAP +100 g/kg stalklage (SNAP-80) plus 100 g/kg mineral–protein supplement. The experiment lasted 115 d, with five periods of 23 d. These periods were divided into two subperiods of 14 d for dietary adaptation and 9 d for ruminal emptying, omasal, urinary, and fecal sample collection. Statistical analyses were performed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. DCG-based diet tended (P = 0.07) to increase DM and organic matter (OM) intake. Diets based on HMC, RCG, SNAP-80, and SNAP-90 increased (P

Corn is the main energy feed used in broiler chickens rations in most countries. In the literature, there are indications that high density corn segregated in densimetric table contains higher value of metabolizable energy than the corresponding fraction of low density, but the reasons are not clear. This study was conducted to determine the metabolizable energy of different types of corn, segregated in densimetric table, for poultry. The corn types were selected by the texture of grain (flint, semi-dent and dent) and were planted in the same area. Semi-dent grain corn was used as standard, and the flint and dent grains were segregated in a densimetric table to separate 25% of the total as high density and 25% as low density. The flint, semi-dent and dent corn and the high and low density fractions of flint and dent corn were used in a metabolism assay with broiler chickens from 20 to 29 days of age, with 9 replicates, to determine the Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn). The density of the different types of corn, measured as hectoliter weight, varied from 683 to 768 g/L for dent corn and from 778 to 802 g/L for the flint corn; the density of the unsegregated semi-dent corn was intermediate. MEn ranged from 3.109 to 3.194 kcal/g for dent corn and from 3.141 to 3.211 kcal/g for flint corn. MEn of the high density dent corn, 3.194 kcal/g, was higher (p

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses maize, also known as corn, which is grown throughout the world. The United States, China, Brazil, Argentina, India, France, and Indonesia are the main corn-producing countries. Corn of different types (flour corn, flint corn, dent corn, sweet corn, popcorn, waxy corn, and amylomaize) and color (ranging from white to yellow, red, and purple) is grown. Corn grain is composed of endosperm (82–83%), germ (10–11%), pericarp (5–6%), and tip cap (0.8–1.0%). The pericarp is the outermost layer that is characterized by high crude fiber content, mainly consisting of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. High-amylose corn is a good source of resistant starch (RS), which can be used in various food products for its health benefits. RS has been associated with improved cholesterol metabolism and reduced risk of type II diabetes and colon cancer. Various bioactive compounds with the health-promotion and disease-prevention properties present in fruits and vegetables have also been reported in corn. The purple-, blue-, and red-pigmented corn inhibits colorectal carcinogenesis in male rats and possesses antimutagenic and radical scavenging activities. These bioactivities have been associated with the presence of anthocyanins.

Nellore cattle are predominant in Brazil and appear to have poor performance when fed high-grain diets. In addition, most corn produced in Brazil is of the flint type, and the starch therein is more difficult to digest compared to that in dent corn hybrids. The aim of this study was to evaluate flint corn processing method (CPM) and dietary starch content for finishing Nellore bulls fed high-concentrate, corn-based diets. In this study, 112 Nellore bulls (initial BW 378.3 ± 21.28 kg) were fed twice daily using Calan gates or individual pens. The animals were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The experiment tested two CPM: high moisture corn (HMC) and finely ground dry corn (FGC) and dietary starch concentrations (DSC) of 300, 350, 400 and 450 g/kg DM, replacing citrus pulp with corn. Bulls were adapted to finishing diets over a period of 18 days and fed a total of 75 days (18 + 57 days). To determine fecal starch (FS) concentration, feces from each animal were sampled on day 47 of the feeding period. Bulls fed diets containing more than 300 g/kg DSC from HMC were more efficient than bulls fed 300 g/kg DSC as HMC; but gain:feed ratio (G:F) for bulls fed FGC did not differ (CPM × DSC; P = 0.04). Final BW and average daily gain (ADG) were not affected by CPM, but carcass G:F was greater for bulls fed HMC than for those fed FGC (P

Four trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of flint corn processing and the replacement of corn with citrus pulp (CiP) in diets for Nellore feedlot cattle. In a 103-d finishing trial, 216 Nellore bulls (350 ± 24 kg initial BW) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included 2 processing methods, either ground corn (GC) or steam-flaked corn (FC), with CiP replacing each corn type at 4 levels (0, 25, 50, and 75% of DM). All diets contained 12% sugarcane bagasse and 88% concentrate (DM basis). Treatments were also evaluated in metabolism trials, in which 10 ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (389 ± 37 kg) were assigned to 2 independent but simultaneous 5 × 5 Latin squares, each using 1 method of corn processing (GC and FC). Interactions ( < 0.05) between corn processing and CiP inclusion level were observed for final BW, DMI, ADG, G:F, and HCW. With FC-based diets, added CiP linearly decreased final BW ( = 0.04), whereas with GC-based diets, added CiP quadratically increased final BW ( = 0.002). With FC-based diets, the inclusion of CiP linearly increased DMI ( = 0.03) and linearly decreased ADG ( = 0.03) and G:F ( = 0.001). Increasing CiP in GC-based diets quadratically increased DMI ( = 0.001), ADG ( = 0.005), and HCW ( = 0.003). In FC-based diets, CiP inclusion had no effect on HCW ( = 0.21). Dressing percent, LM area, and 12th-rib fat were not affected by diet ( ≥ 0.05). For steers fed GC diets, CiP inclusion in the diet quadratically decreased the molar proportion of isovalerate ( = 0.001) but linearly increased ruminal butyrate ( = 0.006). No differences ( ≥ 0.16) were observed for total VFA concentrations, acetate:propionate ratio, and ruminal NH-N as CiP replaced GC. For steers fed FC diets, the molar proportion of acetate linearly increased ( = 0.002) whereas the proportion of propionate was linearly decreased ( < 0.001), resulting in a linear increase ( = 0.001) in the acetate:propionate ratio. Replacing corn with CiP linearly reduced NEm ( = 0.001) and NEg ( < 0.001) of FC-based diets but did not affect ( = 0.15) NE values of CG-based diets. Steam flaking flint corn improved cattle performance in this trial more than has been reported for dent corn in the published literature.

Performance responses to steam flaking flint corn as well as to the addition of roughage to finishing diets composed of whole flint corn were evaluated. Ninety-six Nellore bulls were stratified by initial BW (373 ± 11 kg) and randomly allotted to 16 feedlot pens (6 bulls/pen) in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates/treatment. Dietary treatments for the 86-d feeding trial consisted of (DM basis) 1) 78.8% steam-flaked flint corn with 6% sugarcane bagasse and 0.20% urea, 2) 85% whole flint corn without sugarcane bagasse, 3) 81.9% whole flint corn with 3% sugarcane bagasse and 0.10% urea, and 4) 78.8% whole flint corn with 6% sugarcane bagasse and 0.20% urea. All diets contained 15% (DM basis) of a pelleted protein, mineral, and vitamin supplement. Compared with whole flint corn grain, flaking of flint grain decreased ( 0.47), it increased energy content of the diet ( 0.47) on G:F or on observed energy content of the diet. In summary, steam flaking of flint corn when fed in diets containing 6% sugarcane bagasse decreased DMI by 17% but increased G:F by 20% and NEg of corn calculated from feedlot performance by 23%; these responses markedly exceed those typically observed with dent corn grain. Moreover, adding 3% sugarcane bagasse to a flint whole corn grain diet optimized feedlot performance of Nellore bulls.

Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky), the maize weevil, is a serious pest of economic importance in stored products in tropical and subtropical countries; infestation often starts in the field, but serious damage is done during maize storage. This study evaluated S. zeamais infestation on seven varieties of maize. Seven commercial maize varieties (white dent, yellow dent, orange flint, Indian flint, white popcorn, yellow popcorn and sweet corn), two temperature conditions (10 and 27 °C) and three storage times (30, 60, and 90 d) were used. The moisture contents of all maize samples were adjusted to 15.5 ± 0.5% (wet basis) prior to initiating storage trials. Numbers of live weevils, – seed damage, weight loss, and weight of powder produced were assessed at the end of each storage time. As expected, severe damage was observed at 27 °C and 90 d for all maize varieties. Exponential growth rates of S. zeamais were observed in almost all maize varieties. Among seven varieties evaluated, orange flint corn, yellow and white popcorn show resistance to S. zeamais. Nevertheless, sweet and dent corn were most susceptible to S. zeamais -infestation - Higher numbers of live S. zeamais were observed on Indian flint corn, sweet corn and yellow dent corn. Consequently, there was higher seed weight damaged and weight loss. Further, seed damaged, percentage seed weight loss and weight of powder produced was significantly and positive correlated with number of live S. zeamais (r = 0.91, P

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of flint corn processing method (CPM) and level of NDF from roughage (rNDF) on performance, carcass characteristics, and starch utilization by finishing Nellore-based cattle fed high-concentrate, flint corn-based diets. In this study, 112 Nellore type bulls (initial BW 384.07 ± 29.53 kg and 24-36 mo of age) were individually fed using Calan gates or individual pens. The animals were used in a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 CPM, high-moisture flint corn (HMC) or finely ground dry flint corn (FGC), with 1 of 4 levels of rNDF, 3, 8, 13, and 18% (DM basis), using sugarcane silage (SS) as roughage. Bulls were adapted to the finishing diet over a 21-d period and fed for a total of 81 d. Fecal starch (FS) concentration was determined on d 46 and 74 of the feeding period. There was a quadratic effect of rNDF on final BW ( < 0.01) and ADG ( = 0.01). Optimal concentrations of rNDF were estimated using the first derivative of second order polynomials, indicating that final BW and ADG were maximized with 13.3 and 13.0% rNDF, respectively. An interaction was observed between CPM and rNDF ( = 0.05) for DMI, with peak DMI occurring at 11.3 and 13.7% rNDF with FGC and HMC, respectively. Cattle fed HMC had 13.9% greater G:F ( < 0.01) compared with those fed FGC (0.172 vs. 0.151, respectively). There were quadratic effects of rNDF on HCW ( = 0.04) and ME intake ( < 0.01); heaviest carcass weights were estimated, in both cases, to be achieved with 12.8% rNDF. A quadratic effect of rNDF for renal, pelvic, and inguinal fat weight ( = 0.04) was observed, with a peak estimated to occur at 12.6% rNDF. An interaction between CPM and rNDF also was observed for FS ( < 0.05). Bulls fed FGC with 3% rNDF had greater FS content, and FS linearly decreased as concentration of rNDF increased. For bulls fed HMC, FS was 3.0% of DM and was unaffected by rNDF in the diet. Lower FS from bulls fed HMC suggests that availability of starch from flint corn was greater than that of FGC. For Nellore-based cattle fed a flint corn-based diet containing SS and 8% whole lint cottonseed, performance was optimized with 12.8% rNDF. In the absence of cottonseed addition to diets, optimal performance would be expected with about 14.5% rNDF.

Huitlacoche is the Aztecs name given to the smut galls on ears of maize caused by the pathogenic plant fungus Ustilago maydis [(DC) Corda.)]. It is known as maize mushroom, and it has been considered a delicacy and in Mesoamerica. The aim of the present study was to determine the responses of some maize varieties to the growth of the fungus in order to evaluate the prospect production of these smutty ears as a maize mushroom. A 2-year study was conducted in the Mediterranean region of Turkey in 2010 and 2011. Inoculations were performed by injecting inoculum into the ear through the silk channel of plants in plots. Each treatment had control plots. Average ear-gall (huitlacoche) severity and incidence of all the varieties were at the rates of 4.0 and 41.6%, respectively. However, the highest severity of ear-gall (6.5) and incidence (60.6%) were found in Karadeniz Yıldızı flint maize variety; colossal smutty ears were formed in the maize cultivars. This study showed that certain maize cultivars (flint corn and dent corn) can be used efficiently in the production of huitlacoche.

Distribution of phenolics in Indian dent and flint yellow maize was analyzed. HPLC and ESI-MS/MS results indicated that germ of maize samples contained significantly higher free phenolic acids than pericarp whereas, pericarp contained more bound phenolics. Free and bound phenolic acids in pericarp, germ and endosperm of dent maize were 267.5 ± 28.9 and 4329.6 ± 221.5; 468.7 ± 23.0 and 3428.6 ± 101.2; 6.2 ± 0.6 and 172.0 ± 11.1 µg/g, respectively, whereas in flint corn these values were 157.9 ± 27.4 and 5523.3 ± 292.2; 262.3 ± 20.8 and 1341.9 ± 80.6; 19.3 ± 1.3 and 224.0 ± 14.6 µg/g, respectively. Vanillic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuric, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were detected among phenolic acids. Among flavonoids, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol and quercetin were also detected in trace amounts in the yellow maize. The pattern of radical scavenging by bound phenolic extract of pericarps varied between the samples. Peroxide scavenging and reducing capacity of botanical fractions also varied similarly. Free phenolics contributed 0.6–1.7, 5–15 and 46–60% to the anti-radical, peroxide scavenging and reducing capacity, respectively. Among lipophilic tocochromanols, γ-tocopherol was the most abundant homolog and varied significantly in its content for dent (29.4 ± 8.7 µg/g) and flint maize (63.2 ± 7.5 µg/g). Data show that dent and flint maize hold promise for the development of whole grain functional foods.

Maize is one of important crops in Indonesia. The improvement of maize quality can be achieved by conducting plant breeding. In this research was conducted reciprocal breeding between ‘Talenta’ that has high sugar total and ‘Provit A1’ that has high beta carotene content. The objectives of this research were to select and describe the phenotypic characters of maize as the result of reciprocal crossing between ‘Talenta’ and ‘Provit A1’. As much as fifty F1 maize kernels that resulted from each of the crossing were planted into different blocks. Then ten maizes were identified the phenotypic characters for each block. The phenotypic characters were observed based on the agronomical characters in Ministry of Agricultural Decree and analyzed based on International Board for Plant Genetic Resources scale. The result of this research showed that the characters of maize that resulted from the crossing and its reciprocal were similar with both of the parentals, especially the type and color of the kernels. Based on the type of the kernels both populations had various kernel types; flint corn, semi flint corn, and sweet corn, and various color of kernels that were gradation from yellow to orange. The observed agronomical characters showed that the height plant, stem, foliage, tassel, ear, and kernel of offspring were almost similar. The description of F1 ♀‘Talenta’ was Plant: medium plant height (124–179.5 cm), medium ear height (46–71.5 cm); Stem: no zigzag degree; Foliage: medium leaf angle type, sharp pattern and bent, stripped and curved, medium width (7–9.5 cm), medium length (41–91.5 cm), green color leaf, medium spearing the leaf edge; Tassel: tasseling 50–59 days (medium), the location of the branching side was straight rather crooked, medium kernel density; Ear: silking 52–63 days (medium), cylindrical ear shape, the handle of ear length is 3.5–11.2 cm, the length of cob is 15–21 cm, small ear diameter (3.2–3.9 cm), medium number of kernels (10 rows to 14 rows); Kernel: the length of kernel is 1 cm, the width of kernel is 0.9 cm, many kernel colours (gradation of yellow to orange), type of kernels; flint, semi-flint, sweet. The description of F1 ♀‘Provit A1’ was Plant: medium plant height (146–236cm), medium ear height (54.5–106 cm); Stem: no zigzag degree; Foliage: medium leaf angle type, sharp pattern and bent, stripped and curved, medium width (7–9 cm), medium length (28–92.5 cm), green color leaf, medium spearing the leaf edge; Tassel: tasseling 49–53 days (medium), the location of the branching side was straight rather crooked, medium kernel density; Ear: silking 50–65 days (medium), cylindrical ear shape, the handle of ear length is 5–12.5 cm, the length of cob is 14–20 cm, small ear diameter (3.6–4.5 cm), medium number of kernels (12 rows to 14 rows); Kernel: the length of kernel is 1 cm, the width of kernel is 1 cm, many kernel colours (gradation of yellow to orange), type of kernels; flint, semi-flint, sweet.

Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevil) is one of the most destructive pests of maize stored in tropical and subtropical regions. This study determined the resistance of flint corn and dent corn to infestation by S. zeamais (Motschulsky), the maize weevil. Improved King Philip hybrid flint corn and Fontanelle 6T-510 hybrid dent corn were used in this experiment. Two temperature conditions (10 °C and 27 °C) and two storage times (15 days and 30 days) were used. Results showed that flint corn was more resistant to insect damage than dent corn at 27 °C and 30 day storage time. After 30 days storage time and 27 °C death rate was significantly higher in flint corn ( R 2 = 0.945) compared to ( R 2 = 0.634) in dent corn. Damaged seed was 10% higher in dent corn then in flint corn at 27 °C and 30 days. However, no significant difference was observed for seed weight loss between flint corn and dent corn at the same storage conditions. Both dent and flint corn were extensively cultivated in developing countries It appears that storage of flint corn may be one promising solution to reducing corn damage infestation problems in the tropics and in developing countries, but more research is needed.

The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of corn kernel enzymes, bacteria, fungi, and fermentation end-products (main acids and ethanol) to protein solubilization during fermentation of reconstituted corn grain silage. Flint corn kernels were ground (5-mm sieve), rehydrated to 32% of moisture, and treated with no additives (control), gamma irradiation (32 kGy), gamma irradiation + fermentation end-products (1% of lactic acid, 0.3% of acetic acid, and 0.7% of ethanol, as fed), and natamycin (1% as fed). Treated grains were ensiled in nylon-polyethylene bags and stored for 90 d. Protein solubilization was calculated for each treatment and the contributions of proteolytic sources were determined. Bacterial activity was the main contributor to proteolysis (60%) followed by corn kernel enzymes (30%), whereas fungi and fermentation end-products had only minor contributions (∼5% each).

Dent, flint, and specialty genotypes of Indian yellow maize were evaluated for phytochemical content and their hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. Solid-phase extraction coupled with solid–liquid extraction was used to obtain free phenolics and flavonoids from maize samples, reducing the use of excessive solvents and handling time. Bound phenolics were extracted with enhanced acidic hydrolysis to improve extractability. The phenolic contents in Indian maize genotypes ranged from 46 to 79 μmol of ferulic acid equivalents per gram of sample on a dry basis (db). Carotenoids in Indian maize genotypes were found to be equivalent to Chinese yellow maize and ranged from 13 to 24 μg/g of sample (db), whereas tocol content varied greatly in the range of 607–1,238 μg of α-tocopherol equivalents/g of sample (db). Dent and flint corn did not exhibit differences (P > 0.05) in their phenolic contents, whereas among the specialty genotypes sweet corn contained the highest phenolics but least carotenoids (P < 0.05...

The objective of our study was to investigate the associative effects of feeding Ca salts of palm fatty acids (FA) and corn grain-processing method on production, nutrient digestibility, energy balance, and carryover effects of early-lactation dairy cows grazing a tropical pasture. Treatment diets were offered from 3 to 16 wk postpartum (treatment period), in which all cows grazed elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum L. Cameroon) and treatments were added to a concentrate supplement. Treatments were flint corn grain-processing method either as fine ground (FGC) or steam-flaked (SFC) associated with Ca salts of palm FA supplementation either not supplemented or supplemented (CSPO). From 17 to 40 wk postpartum (carryover period) all cows received a common diet fed as total mixed ration. During the treatment period, a tendency for an interaction between CSPO and corn grain-processing method were observed for milk yield, milk fat yield, and energy-corrected milk (ECM), as CSPO caused them to increased to a greater extent in the FGC diet compared with the SFC diet. Furthermore, a tendency for an interaction between CSPO and corn grain-processing method was observed for body weight change, because CSPO increased body weight loss in the FGC diet but not in the SFC diet. The CSPO increased milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, ECM, and cumulative milk yield compared with not supplemented. Also, CSPO increased energy intake, milk energy output, and energy partitioning toward milk, whereas reduced energy was allocated to body reserves. The SFC increased milk yield, ECM, milk protein yield, milk casein yield, and cumulative milk yield, and decreased milk urea N compared with FGC. The SFC compared with FGC also increased body condition score and body weight change, and increased energy partitioning toward body reserves. During the carryover period, an interaction between CSPO and corn grain-processing method was observed for milk yield, which occurred because CSPO maintained higher milk yield in the FGC diet but not in the SFC diet. Therefore, in the carryover period, the additive effect between SFC and CSPO that occurred in the treatment period was not maintained throughout the carryover period. However, CSPO increased yields of milk fat, protein, casein as well as fat-corrected milk and ECM. In conclusion, corn grain-processing method interacts with CSPO supplementation on production responses and carryover effects of grazing cows. When CSPO was fed in the FGC diet, milk production increased to a greater extent than when fed in the SFC diet, but also caused greater mobilization of reserves at early lactation. This suggests an interaction between fat supplementation and corn grain-processing method on energy partitioning of dairy cows. Also, both supplementation with CSPO and SFC were effective strategies to increase energy intake and yields of milk and milk solids. The carryover effect on milk production was greater for CSPO supplementation than corn grain-processing method, whereas feeding SFC diets had lower mobilization of reserves and less body weight and body condition score variation throughout lactation.

The objective was to assess the effects of a concentrate consisting of two types of corn: flint and dent, with three different grinding degrees (1, 3 and 5 mm), as a function of intake, performance and digestibility of three crossbred dairy suckling heifers. A randomized block design involving 54 crossbred heifers in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement was used to assess intake and performance patterns. In order to assess digestibility, the experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of 24 crossbred heifers. Weighting and measurements of height at withers and thoracic perimeter were performed. There was no significant interaction between grinding degree and corn type for any of the studied variables. The daily intake of concentrate dry matter was higher for flint corn (243 g/day) as compared with dent corn (160 g/day). The grinding degree caused difference in the dry matter, crude protein and ether extract intake, with higher intake when 3 and 5 mm sieves were used in the process. There was no difference regarding average daily gain and increased withers, croup and thoracic perimeter. Likewise, feed conversion did not differ. Regarding dry matter digestibility, there was an effect resulting from the hardness of corn (78.9% for dent, and 84.3% and for flint corn). As for the grinding degree, the highest value of dry matter digestibility was found when using 5 mm sieves (84.2%), whereas the percentage values found for 1 mm and 3 mm mesh sieves were 79.1% and 78.1%, respectively. It is recommended that heifer calves in the early stage of growth be fed flint corn ground through 3 or 5 mm mesh sieves.

El Mal de Rio Cuarto (MRC) es la enfermedad mas importante del maiz en Argentina. En el presente estudio 66 hibri - dos derivados del cruzamiento de 12 lineas de maiz ( Zea mays L.) fueron evaluados mediante un diseno experimental de bloques com - pletos al azar con dos repeticiones. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron estimar la aptitud combinatoria general y especifica (ACG y ACE) para el grado de severidad de la enfermedad (GS) y el rendimiento de grano (RG) entre doce lineas de maiz e identificar relaciones poten - ciales heteroticas entre ellas. El analisis dialelico se realizo mediante el metodo 2, modelo I de Griffing y el biplot GGE (efecto principal de genotipo mas interaccion genotipo x ambiente). Los efectos de ACG y ACE fueron significativos para GS, lo que sugiere que este caracter esta determinado por accion genica aditiva y no aditiva. El RG solo presento efectos significativos de ACE, por lo que la ex - presion del caracter se debe a accion genica no aditiva. Con los dos metodos de analisis utilizados se identificaron lineas con buena ACG para tolerancia a MRC y ademas, cruzamientos heteroticos para este caracter y RG. Estos cruzamientos deben ser evaluados para conocer su comportamiento agronomico y observar si mantienen la expresion heterotica en relacion con diferentes ambientes, con la finalidad de incluirlos en futuros programas de mejoramiento

Corn grits are commonly used adjuncts in the brewing industry in the United States, especially for lager beers. The major challenge of using a high amount of adjuncts in the brewing process is reduced levels of nutrients available to yeast during fermentation, which negatively affects the growth and functioning of yeast, and results in sluggish fermentation. The problem is usually addressed by adding external nutrition. The objective of this work was to assess the suitability of corn components other than brewer&rsquo, s grits to improve the fermentation rates. Water obtained after soaking of corn germ, a vital source of lipids and soluble proteins, was investigated as a source of nutrient during brewing of 40:60 (w/w) corn grits and malt mixture. Performance of water-soluble nutrients from germ of two corn verities, yellow dent corn and flint corn, was investigated. Germ soak water was added during corn grits slurry formation before mashing. The addition of germ water increased the free amino nitrogen levels by 37% and Zn concentrations by 3.6 times in the wort, which resulted in up to a 28% higher fermentation rate (between 48 to 72 h of fermentation) and shortened the fermentation time from 120 to 96 h. The use of water obtained from the soaking of flint corn germ resulted in a similar shortening of fermentation time. In another approach, nutrient-rich concentrated germ soak water was directly added into the wort, which also resulted in similar improvements in the fermentation rate as those from adding germ soak water during slurry formation. Due to leaching of micronutrients and soluble proteins, the oil concentrations in the germ increased by more than 30%, enhancing its economic value.

Gibberella ear rot (GER), caused by Fusarium spp., is a major concern in maize production in Central Europe, and development of hybrid cultivars having GER resistance is an important breeding goal. The objectives of the present study were to (i) evaluate the variation in testcross performance (TP) of European maize germplasm for GER resistance and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination, (ii) estimate variance components, heritabilities, and correlations of these traits, and (iii) examine the relationship between line per se performance (LP) and TP. Testcrosses of 30 diverse flint inbred lines with two dent inbred testers were evaluated in four environments under artificial inoculation. Data were recorded on severity of GER and concentration of DON. There was substantial GER development and the range of both traits was greater for LP than TP. Estimates of genotypic and genotype x environment interaction variances were significant for testcrosses with both testers. Genotypic variances were generally higher for LP than for TP in each testcross set. Correlations between LP and TP were moderate (ȓ p ≤ 0.57) for GER rating and DON concentration. We recommend multi-stage selection to develop GER resistant maize hybrids based on evaluation of GER resistance under artificial inoculation for (1) LP in one environment followed by (2) TP evaluation in two to three environments. Only the most promising testcrosses should be tested for DON concentration.

Normal corn germplasm can be used to improve popcorn (Zea mays L.) through 1-2 backcrosses with popcorn as recurrent parents. Popping characteristics of derived lines from popcorn × dent or flint corn crosses play a determinant role in popcorn breeding. Advanced backcross QTL methods can effectively combine QTL identification and plant breeding. 220 selected BC2F2 families developed from a cross between Dan 232, a dent corn inbred line, and N04, an elite popcorn inbred line, were evaluated for three popping characteristics, popping volume, flake size, and popping rate, under two environmental conditions. Using composite interval mapping, a total of 10 significant QTLs were detected, and of these, 2 to 4 QTLs were identified for each trait. Six QTLs had favorable alleles contributed by Dan 232. Comparison with the 15 QTLs detected in the F2:3 families showed that 3 QTLs were the same in both populations. The QTLs should be redetected in generations developed through severe selection. Improved N04 and near isogenic lines could be developed from this BC2F2 population through selfing or another 1 to 2 backcrosses with N04.

Popping expansion volume (PEV) is the most important quality trait in popcorn, while its germplasm is inferior to normal dent/flint corn in yield. In this study, 259 F2:3 families, developed from the cross between a dent corn inbred Dan232 and a popcorn inbred N04, were evaluated for their PEV, grain weight per plant (GWP) and 100-grain weight (100 GW) in two environments. The genetic relationship between PEV and GWP, and 100 GW on individual gene loci were evaluated using unconditional and conditional QTL mapping methods. In total, five, one and three unconditional QTL were identified for PEV, GWP, and 100 GW, respectively. The positive alleles of all QTL for PEV were from N04, while positive alleles of all QTL for GWP and 100 GW were from Dan232. In conditional mapping, one and two QTL failed to be detected, and all four additional QTL were detected. Nevertheless, three QTL were identified, which controlled PEV independently from GWP/100 GW. They seemed to be potential candidates in popcorn breeding to increase PEV without decreasing GWP/100 GW. The results suggested that for significantly correlated traits, the conditional QTL mapping method could be used to dissect the genetic interrelationship between traits at the level of individual QTL, as well as reveal additional QTL that were undetectable by unconditional mapping.

Specific traits are an important consideration in plant breeding. In popcorn, inferior agronomic traits could be improved using dent or flint corn backcrossed with popcorn. In this study, we used advanced backcross quantitative trait locus (AB-QTL) analysis to identify trait-improving QTL alleles from a dent maize inbred Dan232, and compared the detection of QTL in the BC2S1 population with QTL results using F2:3 families of the same population. Two hundred and twenty BC2S1 families developed from a cross between Dan232 and an elite popcorn inbred N04 were evaluated for nine plant traits in replicated field trials under two environments. Using composite interval mapping (CIM), a total of 28 significant QTL were detected, and of these, 23 (82.14%) had favorable alleles contributed by the dent corn parent Dan232. Nine QTL (32.14%) detected in the BC2S1 population were also located in or near the same chromosome intervals in the F2:3 population. All of the favorable QTL alleles from Dan232 could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) to improve the respective plant traits in popcorn breeding. In addition, their near isogenic lines (QTL-NILs) could be obtained through selfing or another 1–2 backcross with N04. Also, N04 improved for the studied plant traits could be developed from the BC2S1 families used in this study. This study demonstrated that the AB-QTL method can be applied to identify favorable QTL from dent corn inbred in popcorn breeding and, once identified, the alleles could be used in marker-assisted selection to improve the respective plant traits.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the amount and type of lipids, starch composition and structure, and storage proteins on popcorn expansion and to evaluate whether popcorns could be discriminated from other types of corn based on the protein elution parameters. Seven commercial Argentinean popcorn samples were used in the study and significant differences were observed in the popping volume of these popcorns. A significant negative correlation was observed between oleic acid and popping volume and a positive correlation was observed between linoleic acid and popping volume. Popcorn starch properties were significantly different from normal corn but no particular measured attribute of starch correlated with popping volume. α-Zein proteins and glutelins significantly correlated with popcorn expansion volume with R2 = 0.963 and 0.744, respectively. The elution patterns of corn proteins could also be used to discriminate between different types of corn including p...

Understanding the history of a crop helps plant breeders select. This historical narrative discusses the background of hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) in the USA. It attempts to explain why certain open-pollinated cultivars persisted into today's hybrids. Domesticated corn originated by selecting larger, non-shattering ears in tropical, southern Mexico. Corn moved to temperate areas requiring adaptation to more variable, more stressful conditions. Flint corn arrived in the USA about 1000 BC and dent corn arrived after Columbus 2500 yr later. The first southern Corn Belt of the 1830s (Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia) moved northwest (Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri) by 1880; shorter-season, more drought tolerant cultivars were developed. About 1000 open-pollinated cultivars resulted from natural and artificial selection in flint × dent backgrounds. A few cultivars were widely adapted and became popular. Virtually all 1000 cultivars became parents of inbred lines. Yellow corn (containing vitamin A) proved better for feeding; white corn production diminished from 50% in 1920 to 1% of total in 1970. Earlier planting, higher plant densities, more nitrogen application, and wider adaptation affected hybrid selection. Pedigree background frequencies of 33 Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. proprietary, elite inbred lines directly estimate background of >40% of U.S. hybrid corn hectarage and indirectly estimate the rest. Forms of Reid Yellow Dent'(Iodent Reid', 'Troyer Reid', Osterland Reid', Stiff Stalk Synthetic', Reid Yellow Dent per se, and Funk Yellow Dent Reid') are 50%. 'Minnesota 13' is 13%. Northwestern-Dent' 5%. Lancaster Sure Crop' is 4%. Leaming Corn' is 4%. These cultivars were widely adapted and popular. The results are consistent with evolutionary (adaptation) expectations. Genes for adaptedness to the temperate, U.S. Corn Belt (longer days, cooler minimum temperatures, and shorter, drier, more stressful seasons) were naturally and artificially selected; first, in widely adapted, open-pollinated cultivars then, in widely adapted hybrids. Old cultivar and inbred line background sources, few in number, indicate adaptedness is more important than diversity to increase yield.

The timing of crop introductions, particularly of maize (Zea mays), has been of long-standing interest to archaeologists working in various regions of eastern North America. The earliest confirmed macrobotanical evidence for maize in New York is A.D. 1000. We report on the results of accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) dating, phytolith analysis, and stable carbon isotope analysis of carbonized cooking residues adhering to the interior surface of pottery sherds from three sites in the northern Finger Lakes region of New York. Maize, squash (Cucurbita sp.), wild rice (Zizania aquatica), and sedge (Cyperus sp.) were identified in phytolith assemblages dating to as early as the first half of the calibrated seventh century A.D. The results demonstrate that low δ13C values on cooking residues cannot be used to preclude the possibility that maize was cooked in vessels. Two of the maize-bean-squash crop triad were present in New York at least 350 years earlier than previously documented, and the Northern Flint Corn Complex was present in New York by at least the first half of the seventh century A.D. This research highlights the potential of cooking residues to provide new insights on prehistoric plant-based subsistence.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the relationship between corn kernel vitreousness and ruminal in situ starch degradation. Fourteen U.S. and five Brazilian corn hybrids cultivated in their respective countries were evaluated. The U.S. dent hybrids were harvested at one-half milk line, black layer, and 21 d after black layer stages of maturity. Brazilian flint hybrids were harvested only at the latest stage of maturity. Vitreousness was determined by manual dissection of the kernels. Ruminal in situ degradation of starch was determined in three lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Vitreousness of the five mature Brazilian hybrids averaged 73.1% (range of 64.2% to 80.0%), while vitreousness of the 14 mature U.S. hybrids averaged 48.2% (range of 34.9% to 62.3%). Within the 14 U.S. hybrids, average vitreousness increased from 42.8% to 48.2% as stage of maturity progressed from one-half milk line to 21 d after black layer. The correlation between kernel density and vitreousness was 0.87. The correlations between kernel vitreousness or density and ruminal starch availability were -0.93 and -0.87, respectively. With advancing maturity, kernel vitreousness and density increased while ruminal starch availability decreased. Kernel vitreousness and density may be useful parameters for which to select corn hybrids for high ruminal starch availability. Density may be a more practical measurement than vitreousness for screening large corn data sets.

Relationships between leaf expansion and MeOH-soluble (cytosol) and cell-wall fractions, and their sugar composition prior to silking in flint corn lines were studied. A greater husk leaf area of one genotype, X-15 is mainly due to prolonged and higher rate of expansion. Prior to rapid expansion of husk leaf area, neutral sugars in the cytosol fraction accounted for most of the non-starch carbohydrates (56–62%), while hemicellulose and cellulose fractions accounted for less than 20%. In mature leaf parts, however, sugars in the cytosol fraction decreased but those in hemicellulose and cellulose fractions increased by 30% and 42%, respectively. The predominant sugar in the cytosol fraction was glucose (Glc), while in the hemicellulose fraction xylose (Xyl) and arabinose (Ara) dominated. During rapid expansion of husk leaves, 13C was incorporated at a higher rate into hemicellulose than cellulose, and this process was more active in X-15 than in other genotypes. During an identical period, 13C atom % excess in Xyl increased markedly in the hemicellulose fraction, however it remained low in the cytosol one. The current results suggest that synthesis of Xyl and xylan plays an important role in renewal of hemicellulose, which may be required for expansion.

A mycological survey was carried out for the first time, on red flint corn samples from the northwestern Andinian region of Argentina in the 1999 and 2000 harvest seasons. Species of the genus Fusarium were the most prevalent component of the flint corn mycoflora present in all provinces. F. verticillioides was the predominant Fusarium isolated in the 1999 harvest season in the the region, and was found at higher incidence level than those observed on commercial semident corn hybrids harvested in the main corn production area in Argentina (Pampean region). During the 2000 harvest season, Fusarium graminearum was most commonly isolated species in Salta province.