Elsayed, S., Elshahawy, I., Hamden, S., Abd Elgawad, M., Sehsah, M. (2024). Genotoxicity by ear and kernel rots in three maize genotypes stored at different conditions. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 102(1), 139-154. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2024.250031.1467
Samar S.A. Elsayed; Ibrahim E. Elshahawy; Salem Hamden; Mona E.H. Abd Elgawad; Mohamed D. Sehsah. "Genotoxicity by ear and kernel rots in three maize genotypes stored at different conditions". Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 102, 1, 2024, 139-154. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2024.250031.1467
Elsayed, S., Elshahawy, I., Hamden, S., Abd Elgawad, M., Sehsah, M. (2024). 'Genotoxicity by ear and kernel rots in three maize genotypes stored at different conditions', Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 102(1), pp. 139-154. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2024.250031.1467
Elsayed, S., Elshahawy, I., Hamden, S., Abd Elgawad, M., Sehsah, M. Genotoxicity by ear and kernel rots in three maize genotypes stored at different conditions. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 2024; 102(1): 139-154. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2024.250031.1467
Genotoxicity by ear and kernel rots in three maize genotypes stored at different conditions
1Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt
2Plant Pathology Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
3Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
4Cytogenetics Lab- National Gene Bank, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
This study set out to determine the impact of different storage temperatures and packing materials on storage fungi, genotoxic effect, germination rate, and chemical properties of three different cultivars of maize (SC131, TWC324, and Balady) that were stored for 0, 8, and 18 months. Data show that Fusarium verticilioides,was the most common fungus attacking maize grains and causing kernel rots in all tested maize cultivars and under all storage conditions. It was followed by Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium spp. For storage conditions, keeping maize grains in refrigerators (at 10°C and -5°C) in high density polyethylene packing was the most effective technique to prevent kernel rot. Results for grain germination and chemical attributes showed that when grains were maintained in refrigerators (at 10oC, and at -5oC) in high density polyethylene packing, maize SC131 had the highest germination percentage, protein, carbs, oil, and fibre content. In contrast, the Balady cultivar that was held at room temperature in woven polyethylene containers had higher amounts of ash, free fatty acids, and acidity than normal. Increased storage periods were observed to significantly reduce germination percentage and chemical grain component, particularly at room temperature and in woven polyethylene packing. In terms of genotoxicity, maize grain cultivar SC131 had the lowest percentage of chromosomal aberrations (CA), the highest percentage of mitotic index (MI), and the lowest infection by kernel rot.