Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.4, 222-231 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 223 This study evaluates the role of mineral fertilizers in enhancing the nutritional value of maize. This includes examining the impact of different types of mineral fertilizers on maize yield, nutrient content, and overall crop quality. By synthesizing findings from various studies, this study aims to provide insights into effective fertilization strategies that can improve the nutritional profile of maize, thereby contributing to food and nutrition security. 2 Maize Nutritional Components 2.1 Key nutrients in maize (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals) Maize is a vital staple crop that provides a significant portion of the world's caloric intake, alongside rice and wheat. The nutritional components of maize, including protein, oil, vitamins, minerals, etc., are of great significance for improving human nutrition and health (Li and Huang, 2024). The primary macronutrients in maize include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are the most abundant, making up a substantial portion of maize's nutritional profile, which is crucial for energy supply. Proteins in maize are also significant, contributing to the dietary protein intake necessary for growth and repair of body tissues. Fats, although present in smaller quantities compared to carbohydrates and proteins, are essential for providing energy and supporting cell structure (Ogunyemi et al., 2018; Palacios-Rojas et al., 2020; Dragičević et al., 2022). In addition to macronutrients, maize contains essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins such as provitamin A carotenoids are crucial for vision and immune function, while minerals like magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) play vital roles in various biochemical processes. For instance, magnesium is important for muscle and nerve function, calcium for bone health, and iron for oxygen transport in the blood. The presence of these nutrients makes maize a valuable component of the diet, particularly in regions where it is a staple food (Ogunyemi et al., 2018; Dragičević et al., 2022; Galani et al., 2022). 2.2 Factors affecting maize nutritional content The nutritional content of maize can be influenced by several factors, including genotype, fertilization practices, and environmental conditions. Different maize genotypes exhibit variability in nutrient composition. For example, red-kernel maize hybrids have been shown to accumulate higher levels of protein, oil, phenolics, and essential elements like calcium, iron, copper, and sulfur compared to yellow and white hybrids. Yellow-kernel maize, on the other hand, tends to have higher concentrations of yellow pigment, glutathione, phytic phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc (Figure 1) (Dragičević et al., 2022). Dragičević et al. (2022) depicts a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) exploring the interdependence of kernel color, fertilizer treatments, and various nutritional and chemical traits in maize. The PCA reveals that the first two components explain 73.1% of the variability, with grain yield (GY), protein, and mineral content positively correlated with the first axis, while starch content is negatively correlated. The analysis indicates significant variability in traits such as starch and GSH in white-kernel maize under urea and control treatments. Yellow-kernel maize shows greater variability in GY, oil, and phenolics across all treatments. The study highlights how kernel color and fertilizer types influence maize's nutritional and chemical profile, emphasizing the complex interactions affecting crop quality. Fertilization practices also play a crucial role in determining the nutritional quality of maize. The use of mineral fertilizers such as urea can enhance the antioxidant status and increase the bioavailability of certain minerals like zinc. Organic amendments, including biochar and compost, when combined with inorganic fertilizers, have been found to improve nitrogen use efficiency and overall nutrient uptake, especially under drought conditions. This combination can lead to higher yields and better nutritional quality of maize (Ogunyemi et al., 2018; Norhan et al., 2023). Environmental factors, particularly water availability, significantly impact maize's nutritional content. Drought conditions can reduce the yield and nutrient uptake of maize, affecting its protein, oil, starch, and carbohydrate content. However, the addition of organic amendments can mitigate some of these adverse effects by enhancing the plant's defensive systems and nutrient use efficiency (Norhan et al., 2023).
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