Grain quality of maize hybrids submitted to different sowing times and nitrogen rates

Abstract

Grain quality is essential in the food industry, and it shows variations depending on crop management conditions in the field. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of hybrids, sowing seasons, and topdressing nitrogen rates on the incidence of damaged grains and their correlation with pathogenic fungi. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Atalanta, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in a split split-plot randomized block design consisting of the AG9025 PRO3 (super-early) and 30F53 VYH (early) hybrids, preferential (September 20) and late (December 5) sowing season, and nitrogen rates (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha -1 ). The percentage of normal, fermented, and burned grains, as well as the incidence