Superiority of Malawian orange local maize variety in nutrients, cookability and storability

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential of an orange Malawian local maize variety MW5021 by comparing with a hybrid variety DKC-9089 for nutritional quality and processing properties such as proximate and mineral composition as well as pasting and thermal properties of the flour, and resistance against Prostephanus truncatus infestation during storage of the grain. Maize plants sampled for the experiments were cultivated under three different fertilizer applications, namely 0, 92 and 184 kg-N/ha, considering the chemical fertilizer input among Malawian smallholder farmers. Even without fertilizer input, significantly higher contents of crude protein, Mg, P, Ca, Fe and Zn were observed in MW5021, as compared with DKC-9089. Among pasting properties, setback of the flour slurry from MW5021 was significantly lower than DKC-9089 for all fertilizer treatments. Two-way ANOVA indicated that MW5021 had significantly lower number of grains damaged by P. truncatus than DKC-9089, throughout 12 weeks of storage experiment at 28±2°C. Thus, this study revealed that the Malawian orange local variety MW5021 retained by the smallholder farmers has considerably higher nutritional quality and P. truncatus resistance as well as lower retrogradation hardening after cooking the flour, than the hybrid maize DKC-9089.

A Comparative Study of Physicochemical Attributes of Pigmented Landrace Maize Varieties

“…Orange maize from Dedza (2.28%) displayed the highest ash content and the lowest was discovered in purple maize from Mzimba (1.10%). Tis is similar to what Murayama et al [35] reported. Diferences in ash content in PLMVs were attributed to diferences in maize varieties and genetic make up but also environmental diferences in mineral composition.…”

“…Our fndings revealed that red maize from Dedza (12.57%) had the highest protein content than what Shaista et al [2] reported (12.45%) and Mzimba (10.16%) orange maize reported the lowest. Te fndings are in line with what Murayama et al [35] reported in a study that was also done in Malawi on orange maize. Te diferences in protein content observed in this study would be a result of the interaction between environmental factors and the genetic makeup of the varieties which infuences protein metabolic processes within the plants [26].…”

“…Although it can be found in many food grains, maize whole grains provide a substantial amount of phosphorus compared to high levels supplied by animal proteins, dairy products, nuts and seeds, and legumes [38,39]. Murayama et al [35] reported concentration ranges of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which were higher in orange maize than in hybrid maize. Te high levels of minerals revealed in the present study in PLMVs can be an option for those vying for natural sources and would augment the diversity of readily available sources of these minerals to smallholder farmers and rural communities as a whole.…”

Postharvest insect resistance in maize

“…In vulnerable regions, farmers have explored more accessible alternatives, such as the application of ground powders from repellent native plants to stored kernels (Midega et al, 2016) and the use of local varieties with some degree of natural resistance. Native maize landraces have been identified as some of the best natural sources of resistance, leading to loss reduction to less than 10% without cost increment (Daiki et al, 2017;García-Lara and Bergvinson, 2013;Mwololo et al, 2012). However, their yield is often very low.…”

Modulation of Aleurone Peroxidases in Kernels of Insect-Resistant Maize (Zea mays L.; Pob84-C3R) After Mechanical and Insect Damage

“…Thus, alternatives such as repellent ground powders (Midega et al, 2016) and local varieties and native landraces with natural pest resistance (García-Lara and Bergvinson, 2013;Gitonga et al, 2013;Mwololo et al, 2013;Mlambo et al, 2017) have been considered. As landraces often have comparatively low yields (Daiki et al, 2017), breeding programmes have been introduced globally to develop insectresistant varieties with increased yields (Abebe et al, 2009;Tefera et al, 2011Tefera et al, , 2016. For this purpose, the traits and their mechanisms of action associated with postharvest pest resistance need to be identified described.…”