Agronomic Practices Influence Maize Grain Quality

Maize grain yields have increased dramatically over the past fifty years, and concurrently end-uses have proliferated requiring special quality characteristics. Plant breeders have developed many specialty types of maize, all of which are influenced by the agronomic practices used to produce the crop. Grain yield increases have resulted in lower protein concentration except when the yield increase resulted from nitrogen fertilizer application. Irrigation improves the biological value of protein, while higher nitrogen application rates alter the amino acid balance thereby reducing the nutritional value. Kernel breakage susceptibility and kernel density increase with higher nitrogen fertilizer application rates, and are reduced by irrigation. Extractable starch and oil concentration are largely influenced by hybrid choice, but small production practice effects have been documented. Essential mineral nutrient levels are often influenced by soil or foliar fertilizer application. The production of aflatoxin can be reduced by irrigation or other strategies to avoid water stress during grain fill. Although genetics usually exerts the largest effect on maize grain quality, agronomic practices are also important.