Assessing the effect of cultural practices on Mississippi corn production: 2. Grain composition

Global demand for corn (Zea mays L.) is increasing, and it remains one of the most consumed crops by both humans and animals due to its high calorie content. However, corn grain quality research is sparse and often focused only on a few selected influencing factors. Therefore, two side-by-side studies (Addition and Deletion) were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in Mississippi to assess the grain composition including protein, starch, oil, and moisture of corn under several management practices. A randomized complete block design was implemented in both experiments involving a complete factorial of three factors including two plant populations (32,000 and 40,000 seed acre-1), two-row configurations (single and twin), and six combinations of nutrients plus fungicide application (NF). The trials differed based on the manner of NF applications. In the trial termed Addition, all NF treatments were added incrementally, whereas in the Deletion trial they were withheld in a stepwise manner. Conditional inference tree analysis was conducted to examine interaction effects among the three factors over 3 site-years. Corn protein content ranged between 8.2% and 9.8% across all years and locations. All three factors and certain interactions significantly influenced both protein and starch content. Specifically, single row planting, 40,000 seeds acre-1, and higher rates of N resulted in higher protein content. Contrarily, the starch content was positively influenced by twin row, 32,000 seeds acre-1 and only N application. Single row configuration resulted in higher oil than twin rows. This study determined that different management factors have the potential to positively influence protein, starch, and oil. These management strategies could extend farmers profitability and provide superior products for industrial purposes with additional implications for livestock feed supplements. Corn is one of the most consumed cereals by both humans and animals, mainly because of its higher calorie content. However, research with a focus on improving corn grain quality, such as protein, starch, and oil content, is minimal. Therefore, the research focus was to test the effect of three factors plant populations, row configurations, and nutrient applications on grain corn quality. Two different experiments were carried out in 2020 and 2021. Single row, 40,000 seed acre-1, and higher rates of N resulted in higher protein content. Twin row, 32,000 seed acre-1, and only N application resulted in higher starch content. Single rows resulted in higher oil than twin rows. These findings are important for farmers profitability and could support production of superior products for industrial purposes and improvement of livestock health.