Colombian vs. American corn: Quality, chemical composition, mycotoxin content and metabolizable energy

Background: Corn is, quantitatively, one of the most important world crops (ranking second only after wheat) and a key ingredient in animal feeds. Objective: to assess and compare corn quality, mycotoxin content, chemical composition and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of domestic and imported corn. Methods: Grain quality (USDA grading system) was determined in 30 samples of domestic and 21 samples of imported corn. From each origin, 15 samples were subjected to proximal analysis and 10 were used to determine fatty acid composition. Mycotoxin analysis was conducted on 30 samples of domestic and 23 of imported corn. Results: six of the 30 domestic samples corresponded to US1 grade (highest quality) vs. none of the imported. In the "sample grade" category (lowest quality), 10 and 6 samples corresponded to imported and domestic corn, respectively. Soybeans were found as contaminant in 15 of the 21 imported corn samples. Aspergillus spp. mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A were not detected, and aflatoxins were found in only a few samples at very low levels. Fusariotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were found in 61 and 43% of imported samples, respectively, but in none of the domestic samples. Domestic corn had lower carbohydrate content compared with imported corn (85.4 vs. 86.7%), but higher crude fat (3.8 vs. 3.1%). The AME values for domestic and imported corn were 3,697 and 3,378 kcal/kg, respectively. The fatty acid profiles from both corn types were similar. Conclusion: This study found significant differences between locally-grown and imported corn, particularly in terms of crude fat, AME content, fusariotoxins, and contaminant seeds (soybeans). These findings suggest that locally-grown corn might have nutritional and toxicological advantages over corn imported from the United States.

Antecedentes: El maíz es, cuantitativamente, uno de los cultivos más importantes a nivel mundial (ocupa el segundo lugar después del trigo) y uno de los principales ingredientes en dietas para animales. Objetivo: Evaluar y comparar la calidad del maíz, su contenido de micotoxinas, composición química, y energía metabolizable aparente (AME) del maíz nacional e importado. Métodos: La calidad del grano (sistema de clasificación de la USDA) se determinó en 30 muestras de maíz producido en Colombia y 21 de maíz importado. De cada origen, 15 muestras se sometieron a análisis proximal y 10 se analizaron para determinar el perfil de ácidos grasos. El contenido de micotoxinas se determinó en 30 muestras de maíz nacional y 23 de maíz importado. Resultados: Seis de las treinta muestras nacionales analizadas para calidad de grano correspondieron a grado US1 (la mejor calidad) frente a ninguna de las importadas. En categoría "grado muestra" (la menor calidad) se encontraron 10 y 6 de las muestras de maíz importado y nacional, respectivamente; 15 de las 21 muestras de maíz importado presentaron contaminación con semillas de fríjol soya. No se encontraron micotoxinas de hongos Aspergillus spp. (ocratoxina A), y niveles muy bajos de aflatoxinas en unas pocas muestras. Fusariotoxinas tales como deoxinivalenol y zearalenona se detectaron en el 61 y 43% de las muestras de maíz importado, respectivamente, pero en ninguna muestra de maíz nacional. El maíz nacional presentó menor contenido de carbohidratos (85,4 vs. 86,7%), pero mayor contenido de grasa cruda (3,8 vs. 3,1%) en comparación con el importado, respectivamente. Los valores de AME fueron de 3.697 y 3.378 kcal/kg para el maíz nacional e importado, respectivamente. El perfil de ácidos grasos de ambas procedencias fue similar. Conclusiones: Este estudio encontró diferencias significativas entre el maíz de producción nacional y el importado, en especial en su contenido de grasa cruda y AME, fusariotoxinas, y semillas contaminates (soya). Estos hallazgos sugieren que el maíz de producción nacional puede presentar ventajas de tipo nutricional y toxicológico frente al maíz importado de los Estados Unidos de América.

Antecedentes: O milho é quantitativamente uma das culturas mais importantes em nível mundial (ocupando o segundo lugar depois do trigo), sendo um dos principais ingredientes em dietas para animais. Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar a qualidade do milho, o teor de micotoxinas, a composição química e a energia metabolizável aparente (EMA) do milho nacional e importado. Métodos: A qualidade do grão (sistema de classificação do USDA) foi determinada em 30 amostras de milho produzido na Colômbia e 21 amostras de milho importado. Quinze amostras de cada tipo de milho foram submetidas a análise proximal e dez amostras de cada milho foram analisadas para determinar o perfil de ácidos graxos. O conteúdo de micotoxinas foi determinado em 30 amostras de milho da Colômbia e em 23 amostras de milho importado. Resultados: Seis das trinta amostras colombianas analisadas para qualidade de grão corresponderam a grau US1 (melhor qualidade) frente a nenhuma das amostras importadas. Na categoria "grau amostra" (menor qualidade) foram encontradas 10 e 6 amostras de milhos importados e colombianos, respectivamente; Quinze das 21 amostras de milho importado apresentaram contaminação com sementes de feijão soja. Não foram encontradas micotoxinas de fungos Aspergillus spp. (ocratoxina A) ou apenas níveis muito baixos em poucas amostras (aflatoxinas). As fusariotoxinas, deoxinivalenol e zearalenona foram detectadas em 61 e 43% das amostras de milho importado, respectivamente, mas não foram detectadas em nenhuma amostra do milho colombiano. O milho colombiano apresentou menor conteúdo de carboidratos (85,4 vs. 86,7%) porém maior conteúdo de gordura crua (3,8 vs. 3,1%). Os valores de AME foram 3.697 e 3.378 kcal/kg para as amostras de milho colombiano e importado, respectivamente. O perfil de ácidos graxos de ambos tipos de milho foi similar. Conclusões: Os resultados do presente estudo mostram diferenças significativas entre o milho de origem colombiana e o milho importado dos Estados Unidos, em especial no conteúdo de gordura crua e AME, fusariotoxinas e sementes contaminantes (soja). Estes achados sugerem que o milho de produção colombiana pode apresentar vantagens de tipo nutricional e toxicológica frente ao milho importado dos Estados Unidos.

Development and application of two novel functional molecular markers of BADH2 in rice

BACKGROUND: Fragrance is one of the most important quality traits in rice, and the phenotype is attributed to the loss-of-function betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH2) gene. At least 12 allelic variations of BADH2 have been identified, and some of these have been applied to rice fragrance breeding using traditional molecular markers and Sanger sequencing techniques. However, these traditional methods have several limitations, such as being very expensive, imprecise, inefficient, and having security issues. Thus, a new molecular marker technology must be developed to improve rice fragrance breeding. RESULTS: In this study, more than 95% of the cultivated fragrant rice varieties belonged to a 7-bp deletion in exon 2 (badh2-E2) or an 8-bp deletion and 3-bp variation in exon 7 (badh2-E7). Both allelic variations resulted in the loss of function of the badh2 gene. We developed two novel SNP molecular markers, SNP_badh2-E2 and SNP_badh2- E7, related to the alleles. Their genotype and phenotype were highly cosegregated in the natural variation of rice accessions, with 160 of the 164 fragrant rice varieties detected with the two markers. These markers cosegregated with the fragrance phenotype in the F2 population. CONCLUSIONS: Two functional SNP molecular markers of badh2-E2 and badh2-E7 allelic variations were developed. These functional SNP molecular markers can be used for genotype and genetic improvement of rice fragrance through marker-assisted selection and will significantly improve the efficiency of fragrant rice breeding and promote commercial molecular breeding of rice in the future.

Genetic diversity analysis of specialty glutinous and low-amylose rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces of Assam based on Wx locus and microsatellite diversity

The sticky rice of Assam is traditionally classified as bora (glutinous) and chokuwa (semi-glutinous) basedon their stickiness after cooking. The Waxy (Wx) gene encodes for granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS)that controls the synthesis of amylose, which is a key determinant of rice end-use quality attributes. In thisreport, we analysed the level of variation in grain quality traits in a collection of bora and chokuwacultivars, and examined the nucleotide diversity at the Wx locus of selected rice accessions to identify thepossible cause of low-amylose in these rice cultivar groups. The Wx gene sequencing from 24 bora andchokuwa cultivars revealed several nucleotide variations that can explain the variation in the amylosephenotypes. The nucleotide polymorphisms in the downstream intron regions were similar to those reportedin Bangladeshi Beruin cultivars. Among the Wx polymorphisms, the CTn microsatellite in exon 1 and G/TSNP in intron 1 (G/T-Int1) should be considered for marker assisted breeding involving bora cultivars. TheWx gene tree, classified the bora accessions possessing the G/T-Int1 SNP as japonicas. However, clusteranalysis using microsatellite markers classified the bora and chokuwa cultivars as indica, and intermediateof indica-aus. The findings of this study supplemented our understanding on the evolution of the Wx geneunder human selection. The results will assist plant breeders to effectively improve the bora and chokuwalandraces.

Variation of grain quality characters and marker-trait association in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A set of 24 genotypes were studied for 17 grain quality characters and validated with the reported associated rice microsatellite markers with grain quality characters. Using 23 polymorphic markers distributed across 11 chromosomes marker-trait associations were studied. The percentage of polymorphism information content (PIC) of the markers ranged between 54.0 and 86.7. Eight markers with [80% and seven markers with[70% of PIC were found to be efficient in differentiating the studied grain quality characters. A total of 37 significant marker-trait associations (P B 0.09) were found with R2 ranging from 4.70% to 43.80%. Eight markers a (RM246, RM11, RM241, RM16427, RM421, RM3, RM234 and RM257) showed association with more than one character suggesting their utility for the selection for grain quality characters which can be deployed in the rice crop improvement programme

Soluble amino acid profile, mineral nutrient and carbohydrate content of maize kernels harvested from plants submitted to ascorbic acid seed priming

ABSTRACT Both the scientific community and society have shown interest in improving the content of amino acids, carbohydrates and mineral nutrients in maize because it represents an important staple food in many developing countries. Earlier studies demonstrated that the treatment of seeds using ascorbic acid (AsA-seed priming) enhanced soluble carbohydrates, proteins and soluble amino acids for other species. AsA seed priming in maize showed the potential for reducing abiotic stresses. The effects on grain quality have not been previously demonstrated. This study investigated the impacts of AsA seed priming on maize kernel quality of seeds produced by the plants generated from the primed seeds, based on the amino acid profile and carbohydrate and mineral nutrient contents. AsA seed priming improved the maize kernel quality with respect to the ascorbate content, boron allocation, total carbohydrate content and increased soluble amino acid levels, including serine, tyrosine, alanine, valine, glutamate, arginine, proline, aspartate, lysine and isoleucine, whereas soluble methionine was decreased. Therefore, AsA seed priming can represent a potential technique for improving maize grain quality.

Two tank-mix adjuvants effect on yield and quality attributes of wheat treated with growth retardants / Aplicação combinada de retardadores de crescimento com adjuvantes sobre a produtividade e a qualidade do grão de trigo

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of seeds and yield of winter wheat under different retardants application. The two years field trials on winter wheat were carried out in the Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute in Poznan (Poland). Treatments consisted of trinexapac-ethyl, chlormequat and prohexadione calcium applied in mixtures with paraffin oil adjuvant or organosilicone surfactant in BBCH 31 growth stage of winter wheat. No lodging occurred in any experimental year. The retardants had varying effect on the quality parameters of wheat grain. The highest fluctuations in the content of protein, gluten and the Zeleny value were observed after the application of chlormequat chloride. Starch content in wheat grain, regardless of the retardant application method, was negatively correlated with others grain quality parameters evaluated in the experiment. Depending on the year of study and weather conditions, increased or decreased wheat quality.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tamanho e a qualidade do grão de trigo de inverno em condições de aplicação de diferentes retardadores e a possibilidade de os combinar com adjuvantes e herbicidas. Durante dois anos, o Instituto de Proteção de Plantas - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa em Poznań (Polônia) realizou ensaios no campo de trigo de inverno. Os tratamentos consistiram em: trinexapac-etil ou clormequat ou prohexadiona-cálcio, aplicados em misturas com óleo adjuvante ou surfactante organossilicone na fase BBCH 31. Não se observou acamamento de plantas em nenhum ano dos ensaios. Os retardadores apresentaram efeitos variados sobre os parâmetros de qualidade do grão de trigo. As maiores variações no teor de proteínas, glúten e no índice de Zeleny foram observadas após a aplicação de clormequat. O teor de amido no grão, independentemente do retardador utilizado e do modo da sua aplicação, foi negativamente correlacionado com outros parâmetros de qualidade avaliados nos ensaios. Dependendo do ano de estudos, aumentava ou reduzia a qualidade do grão.

Avaliação de cultivares de arroz de terras altas sob condições de sequeiro em Cassilândia, MS / Upland field rice cultivars evaluation under rainfed condition in Cassilândia, MS

O uso de cultivares selecionadas é uma das tecnologias de mais fácil adoção pelo agricultor, pois além de incrementar a produtividade, é um dos insumos de menor custo na produção agrícola. Assim, é fundamental obter informações sobre o desempenho de novas cultivares, nas mais diversas regiões de cultivo. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho avaliar o comportamento de cultivares de arroz de terras altas (Oryza sativa L.) (BRS Aroma, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, BRSMG Conai, BRSMG Curinga, BRS Soberana, BRS Talento e IAC 202), sob condições de sequeiro, na região de Cassilândia, MS. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. A semeadura foi realizada em 30 de novembro de 2005, no espaçamento de 0,40 m entre linhas e 70 sementes viáveis por metro. As cultivares BRS Talento, IAC 202 e BRS Soberana apresentaram comportamento superior. As cultivares BRS Soberana, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, IAC 202 e BRS Talento apresentaram maior rendimento de grãos inteiros. É possível obterse boa produtividade (acima de 3.000 kg ha-1), na cultura do arroz de terras altas sob condições de sequeiro no município de Cassilândia, MS, desde que sejam utilizadas cultivares adequadas.

The use of selected cultivars is one of the easiest technologies for adoption by the farmer; besides yield increase, it offers lower cost in the agricultural production. Thus, it is fundamental to obtain information about the performance of new cultivars, from the most diverse cropping regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) (BRS Aroma, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, BRSMG Conai, BRSMG Curinga, BRS Soberana, BRS Talento and IAC 202) under rainfed condition in Cassilândia, MS, Brazil. A randomized complete block design, with four replications was used. The seeds were sowed on November 30 2006, with 0.40 m between rows and a density of 70 viable seeds per meter. The results showed that BRS Talento, IAC 202, and BRS Soberana presented better performance. BRS Soberana, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, IAC 202, and BRS Talento presented larger whole grain yield. It is possible to obtain good rice grain yield higher than 3,000 kg ha-1, under rainfed condition in Cassilândia, MS, since appropriate cultivars are used.

Interferência do arroz vermelho no rendimento de engenho de cultivares de arroz irrigado / Red rice interference on milling yield of irrigated rice cultivars

O arroz vermelho é considerado a planta daninha que mais danos causa a orizicultura gaúcha. A presença dos grãos desta invasora junto aos grãos das cultivares de arroz contribui para a diminuição da qualidade física do arroz, na medida em que diminui o rendimento de engenho, aumenta o número de grãos rojados, com centro branco e gessados. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de determinar o efeito de diferentes quantidades de arroz vermelho na amostra de arroz sobre a renda do beneficio e sobre o rendimento de grãos inteiros e de quebrados em três cultivares de arroz irrigado (BR-IRGA 410, IRGA 416 e IRGA 417) com classe de grão longo fino. Os tratamentos constaram de diferentes proporções na amostra (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75 e 100 por cento) de grãos de arroz vermelho. Os resultados evidenciaram que, para todas as cultivares, à medida que aumentou a presença de grãos de arroz vermelho na amostra no processo de beneficiamento, o rendimento de grãos inteiros e a renda do beneficio diminuíram linearmente, enquanto o rendimento de grãos quebrados aumentou linearmente.

Red rice is considered the weed that cause the most significam damage to rice fields in the State of Rio Grande does Soul, Brazil. The presence of red rice grains associated with the grains of the commercial rice cultivars contribute to reduce the physical quality of the rice because reduce the milling yield and increase the number of grains chalky and with white pearly. This experiment was developed with the purpose of determining the effect of different quantities of retrace in the sample on the milling yield of three cultivars of irrigated rice with grains fine long class. The treatments consisted of different proportions in the samples (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent) of grains red rice and grains of the rice cultivars BR-JRGA 410, IRGA 416 and IRGA 417. As the quantity of grains of red rice increased in the sample in the milling process, the whole grain yield and total milling yield decreased linearly, white the yield of broken grains increased linear fly for all cultivars.