Nenad Delic

Quality protein maize (QPM) has high contents of the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. The substitution of standard maize (SM) with QPM in feeds can be profitable due to improved livestock performance and decreased use of costly dietary lysine supplementation and protein ingredients. Herein, effects of QPM adapted to temperate climate on broiler performance were tested. A feeding experiment was performed on control (fed with SM) and treatment (fed with QPM) broilers. Each feeding trial of 42 days' duration was carried out in three phases-starter (1-14), grower (15-35) and finisher (36-42). Diets for each growth phase were formulated based on the biochemical analysis of maize kernels. At the end of each growth phase, feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. In the first experiment, SM was completely replaced with QPM in treatment group diets. The results indicated better FCR in the treatment group for grower (1.51:1.56) and finisher (1.56:1.61) phases. In the second experiment, QPM content was increased and the soybean component decreased by 3%. This time, FCR improvement was even better but in all three phases-1.16:1.33 for starters, 1.28:1.36 for growers and 1.30:1.46 for finishers. These results indicate a significant financial reduction in the cost of feed as the price of soybean is usually two to four times higher than the price of maize. Overall, it can be concluded that using adapted QPM in broiler diets can be profitable for both feed industry and broiler producers.

With global climate change including unpredictable geographic and temporal weather patterns that lead to significant genotype ? environment interaction (GEI) the maize performance assessment would need to be complemented with stability analysis. The objectives of this study were: i) estimation of parametric and non-parametric stability indices for grain yield of late maturity maize hybrids, ii) assessing correlations and grouping of stability indices for grain yield of late maturity maize hybrids. The eight maize hybrids of FAO 700 maturity group (ZP1-ZP7, and check Ch) were evaluated for grain yield in the multi-environment trial including five locations in Serbia during 2020. and 2021. year. Stability analyses included twenty parametric and non-parametric indices, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson?s correlations between stability indices. The sum of ranks for tested late maturity maize hybrids were in the interval from 37 (ZP6) to 146 (ZP4). The average rank was in the range from 1.8 (ZP6) to 7.3 (ZP4). The interval of variation for standard deviation of average ranks for tested maize hybrids was from 1.3 (ZP4, Ch) to 2 (ZP2) indicating satisfying accordance of utilized parametric and non-parametric stability measures. The highest average grain yield across all tested environments was observed for ZP1, which was second most stable hybrid. The most stable late maturity maize hybrid tested over ten environments was proven to be ZP6 with sum of ranks and average rank of 37 and 1.8, respectively, with standard deviation of average rank 1.5. PCA biplot showed two groups of parametric and non-parametric stability estimates: I group-coefficient of variation (CVi), Eberhart and Russel?s regression coefficient (bi), Perkins and Jinks?s regression coefficient (Bi), GEI variance component (?(i)), coefficient of determination (Ri2); II group-Eberhart and Russel?s deviation from regression (S2di) Wricke?s ecovalence (Wi2), Shukla?s stability variance (?i2)Perkins and Jink?s deviation from regression(?i2), superiority measure (Pi), the mean of the absolute rank differences of a genotype over all tested environments (Si(1))the variance among the genotype ranks over all tested environments (Si(2)), the sum of the absolute deviations for each genotype relative to the mean of ranks(Si(3)), the sum of squares of rank for each genotype relative to the mean of ranks (Si(6)), NPi(1), NPi(2), NPi(3), NPi(4)- Thennarasu non-parametric stability estimates, mean variance component (?i), Kang? rank-sum (KRi). Pearson?s correlation bring along the redundant stability indices and one can choose to use Wi2 or ?i2, bi or Bi, Wi2or ?i, ?i2 or ?i.

The goal of this experiment was to examine a possible influence of reciprocal crosses on grain yield and some morphological traits in maize. Field trials were set up on three locations (Zemun Polje, Pančevo, Bečej) during 2015 and 2017. Five elite inbred lines were selected in order to produce hybrid combinations for the trial, two of them were of Lancaster origin and used as tester lines (ZPT1, ZPT2), while remaining three had a Non Lancaster origin (ZPL1, ZPL2 and ZPL3). By performing reciprocal crossings between Lancaster and non Lancaster inbred lines, twelve single cross hybrids were produced for the trial. Trials were set up on three locations during two years and grain yield, grain moisture, plant height, ear height and mass of 1000 kernels were analyzed. Location, year and reciprocal crosses were significant factors for all examined traits. Reciprocal crosses had statistical significance on two hybrid combinations in terms of grain yield and grain moisture. SNPs molecular markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of the inbred lines involved in this experiment. When it comes to plant height and mass of thousand kernels, a statistically significant difference was observed in one hybrid combination. The largest reciprocal differences between original and reciprocal hybrids were recorded in grain yield, which were statistically significant for the crosses ZPH4/ZPH4R and ZPH2/ZPH2R (20.03% and 19.49% respectively). The ZPH2/ZPH2R hybrid combination is the combination with the statistically significant differences between the original and reciprocal hybrid, for all evaluated traits except for grain moisture. Reciprocal hybrids ZPH5/ZPH5R and ZPH6/ZPH6R with ZPL3 as their maternal inbred line didn’t express a statistically significant differences between both variants, e.g. their reciprocal effect was low.

In this paper, the grain and structural parts of the grain of maize hybrid ZP 677 were studied, using Infrared Spectroscopy - Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR). The ATR spectra of grain, endosperm, pericarp and germ of maize hybrid are characterized by a number of bands, band intensity, band kinetics and band location distribution in the wavelength range 400 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1. These parameters were specifically tested for both, the grain and the endosperm, pericarp and germ. Spectral bands that are very high and high intensity usually range from 3 to 5, characterized by different intensity, kinetic forms, as well as by the distribution of origin in the wavelength range. These spectral bands enable the identification of the following organic compounds: proteins, carotenoids, ethers, cellulose, lipids, carboxylic acids, amino acids, protein amides, alkanes, sugars, carbohydrates, ketones, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and amines. Spectral bands of grains, endosperm, pericarp and germs that are low and very low intensity are also characterized by the number of bands, low bandwidth, distribution of the place of origin, and especially by the oscillation frequency of valence bonds of functional groups of organic molecules. Spectral bands that are low and very low intensity enable the identification of organic molecules, compounds and their fragments, as well as the identification of various forms of excited states of molecular structures and excited states of valence bonds of organic molecules. The excited state of molecular structures and the excited state of valence bonds of functional groups of organic molecules are manifested in various forms of oscillatory motion. Examples of functional groups of organic molecules in which all the mentioned excited states of molecular structures and excited states of valence bonds occur are alcohols, amines, alkynes, ketones, alkenes, ester, lipids, carbonyl group (ester), amides, nitrogen-hydrogen group, (NH), primary amines, carboxylic acids, amides, acid chlorides, nitrites, amides, carbonyl group (amide), aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bond and aldehydes.

The aim of this study was to observe direct and joint effects of three factors (genotypes, ecological environmental conditions and the applied crop density) on the level of defoliation intensity and yield. Three inbred lines (G) of maize (G1–L217RfC, G2–L335/99 and G3–L76B004) were used in the study. The trials were performed in two years (Y) (Y1 = 2016 and Y2 = 2017) and in two locations (L) (L1 and L2) under four ecological conditions of the year–location interaction (E1–E4) and in two densities (D1 and D2) (50,000 and 65,000 plants ha⁻¹). Prior to tasselling, the following five treatments of detasseling and defoliation (T) were applied: T1—control, no leaf removal only detasseling, T2–T5—removal of tassels and top leaves (from one to four top leaves). The defoliation treatments had the most pronounced effect on the yield reduction in G1 (T1–Tn+1… T5), p < 0.05. The ecological conditions on yield variability were expressed under poor weather conditions (E3 and E4), while lower densities were less favorable for the application of defoliation treatments. The result of joint effects of factors was the lowest grain yield (896 kg/ha) in G3 in the variant E3D1 for T2 and the highest grain yield (11,389 kg/ha) in G3 in the variant E2D2 for T1. The smallest effect of the defoliation treatment was on the kernel row number (KRN).

The aim of this study was to assess variations in aggressiveness and trichothecene production of F. graminearum isolates originating from maize, wheat and barley in Serbia. Analyzing F. graminearum isolates (98) obtained from various agroecological conditions of Serbia over the period from 1993 to 2010, using the HPLC method, the following two chemotypes were observed: 3-acetyl-deoxinivalenol (3ADON) and 15-acetyl-deoxinivalenol (15ADON). A great diversity in the production of deoxinivalenol (DON) derivatives was observed. A majority of F. graminearum isolates, regardless of their origin (maize, wheat or barley) belonged to the 15ADON chemotype. The 3ADON chemotype was also detected, but in a significantly smaller number (13/98) samples, compared to the 15ADON chemotype (85/98). None of the tested isolates belonged to the NIV chemotype. The examined isolates showed different pathogenicity on barley leaf, wheat class and maize ears. The average pathogenicity of the tested isolates was the highest on barley leaf. It was observed that isolates originating from wheat had the highest average daily increase in mycelium growth rate (27.37 mm). Statistical analysis of the obtained results for mycotoxins synthesis showed that there was a highly significant statistical correlation between the production potentials of total DON, 3ADON and 15ADON in F. graminearum isolates belonging to various chemotypes. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the aggressiveness of isolates and the production of total DON in isolates belonging to 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes.

Five maize hybrids were used in this research: two yellow and one white dent, sweet hybrid, and yellow popcorn. Five brine recipes with acetic acid were examined, of which two with the addition of potassium sorbate. The brines with preservatives were stable for 16 months without colour changes of the liquid and corn cobs. The pH of brines ranged from 3.39 to 3.89. Canned hybrids ZP 366 and ZP 611k in brine without sugar, and with the addition of potassium sorbate and potassium metabisulfite marked as Number 5, showed the best sensory characteristics. The protein content determined in ZP 366 (9.56 %) and ZP 611k (10.23 %) did not vary significantly compared to whole-grain maize flour, while crude fibre content (7.67 and 6.88 %), and ash content (21.96 and 20.72 %) were significantly higher than in flour (crude fibre: 2.40; 2.64 %, ash:1.35; 1.48 %, respectively). This research will be continued in order to implement preliminary findings and new data on this subject.

Introduction/purpose: This paper presents the results of several different research studies. The inbred lines ZPPL 146 and ZPPL 159 and the maize hybrids ZP 633, ZP 735, and ZP 737 are primarily intended for human and livestock nutrition. Their selection took about four decades. Methods: Spectral bands were registered using the method of resonant Raman spectroscopy of the leaves of inbred maize lines. These spectral bands indicate the conformational characteristics of not only carotenoid molecules but also other compounds (phosphate, gluten, and amide III) in the leaf. Results: A systematic examination of the inbred lines ZPPL 146 and ZPPL 159 and their maize hybrids ZP 633, ZP 735, and ZP 737 was performed in this paper. It was stated that the new inbred lines of corn, i.e. ZPPL 146 and ZPPL 159, are rich in carotenoids and yellow pigments. These lines also have significant quantities of other valuable bioactive compounds and good physical characteristics. The lines have an upright position of the top leaves and belong to the group of maize lines with significant characteristics of the photosynthetic model. They are resistant to high temperatures and are drought tolerant. Conclusion: This paper presents the relevant properties, characteristics and parameters of the new studied inbred maize lines that can be used in selection processes in the future. High-yielding and high-quality maize hybrids, i.e. ZP 633, ZP 735, and ZP 737, have been created from the mentioned inbred maize lines. They are recognizable by their qualities. The hybrid ZP633 is especially noteworthy for human consumption (children and the elderly). Further, from the agronomic-veterinary point of view, it is confirmed that the hybrids ZP 735 and ZP 737 are the most suitable for livestock feeding with the programmed use of corn silage. The relevant agronomic, morphological and nutritional properties of the maize hybrids ZP 633, ZP 735, and ZP 737 are also presented in this paper. The results regarding the grain structure and yield height for grain and silage for the hybrids ZP 677 and ZP 684, produced in Serbia and the countries of Southeastern Europe, are also given.

The contemporary trends in maize breeding are directed at identification of genotypes with improved grain quality for human consumption, industrial processing, and their incorporation into breeding programmes. In this study, three maize hybrids and three open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), differing in grain colour and type, were used to examine the differences in the total carotenoid content, the phenolic compounds profile and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, physical parameters, basic chemical composition, as well as the content of protein fractions in grain, were analysed. The multivariate approach through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) application contributed to better understanding of the complexity of the interdependence for maize grain quality parameters tested. From the aspect of different end use, better technological quality desirable for dry milling and snack food processing found in OPVs Osmak and Bosanac, as well as high content of bioactive compounds (i.e. TAC) exhibited by OPV Rumenka, make these genotypes superior compared to hybrids' varieties evaluated.

The fungus Aspergillus parasiticus produces aflatoxins, the most important group of mycotoxins considering their potential toxicity that may cause cancer in humans. Prevention is the most important and economically most beneficial practice in the reduction of fungal growth and mycotoxin production. Due to that, the development of resistant maize genotypes is the most effective method. The aim of the present study was to analyse the resistance of maize hybrids to pathogenic and toxigenic A. parasiticus isolates originating from maize in Serbia. Hybrids used belong to three FAO maturity groups and showed a high level of resistance to A. parasiticus species. A combination of prevention management strategies and good grain management at harvest can lessen the impact of Aspergillus ear rot on yield and grain quality.