A soil tillage system adjusted to the soil type and agro-ecological conditions, together with the optimal nutrient supply, is a prerequisite for high maize (Zea mays L.) yield. However, there is little knowledge about the influence of soil tillage and nitrogen (N) rates on maize grain quality. A study was initiated in 1978 in Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia, on the chernozem soil type. The effects of three N rates—0, 180 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹—within three tillage practices—no-tillage, reduced and conventional tillage—and their influence on grain yield (GY) and the content of proteins, starch, oil, total tocopherols and carotenoids, phytic phosphorus (Phy), glutathione (GSH), phenols and inorganic P (Pi) in maize grain were analysed in the period 2016–2018. Differences in maize GY were 2.57 and 3.01 t ha⁻¹ for reduced- or no-tillage, respectively, in comparison to conventional tillage. Conventional tillage and higher N rates contributed to the increase in maize yield and the grain nutritional quality with regard to the increased level of proteins, GSH and Phy. On the other hand reduced inputs were beneficial only for grain quality, in relation to the increase in tocopherols and phenols.

Plants reconfigure their metabolic pathways to cope with water deficit. The aim of this study was to determine the status of the physiological parameters and the content of phenolic acids in the upper most ear leaf of maize inbred lines contrasting in drought tolerance in terms of improved plant productivity e.g., increased grain yield. The experiment was conducted under irrigation and rain-fed conditions. In drought-tolerant lines, the effect of water deficit was reflected through a chlorophyll and nitrogen balance index increase followed by a flavonols index decrease. The opposite trend was noticed in drought susceptible inbreds, with the exception of the anthocyanins index. Moreover, in comparison to irrigation treatment, opposite trends in the correlations between grain yield and physiological parameters found under water deficit conditions indicated the activation of different metabolic pathways in defense against water deficit stress. Concerning phenolic acid content, water deficit caused the reduction of protocatechuic, caffeic, and sinapic acid in all inbreds evaluated. However, the highly pronounced increase of ferulic and especially cinnamic acid content under water deficit conditions indicated possible crucial role of these secondary metabolites in preventing the harmful effects of water deficit stress, which, in turn, might be useful in maize breeding selection for drought tolerance.

Popcorn is a specialty maize variety with popping abilities. Although considered a snack, popcorn flakes provide a variety of benefits for the human diet. To evaluate the change in content of bioactive compounds in response to microwave popping, the kernels and flakes of twelve popcorn hybrids were assayed. Accordingly, the content of phytic acid, glutathione, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and tocopherols, as well as the antioxidant activity, were evaluated. In all evaluated popcorn hybrids, the most pronounced significant average decrease of 71.94% was observed for GSH content, followed by 57.72% and 16.12% decreases for lutein + zeaxanthin and phytic acid content, respectively. In response to popping, in the majority of the evaluated hybrids, the most pronounced significant average changes of a 63.42% increase and a 27.61% decrease were observed for DPPH, followed by a 51.52% increase and a 24.48% decrease for β-carotene, as well as, a 48.62% increase and a 16.71% decrease for α-Tocopherol content, respectively. The applied principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses revealed the distinct separation of popcorn hybrids’ kernels and flakes, indicating the existence of a unique linkage of changes in bioactive compound content in response to popping.

Sustainable nutrition and food production involve dietary habits and farming systems which are eco-friendly, created to provide highly nutritious staple crops which could serve as a functional food at the same time. This research sought to provide a comprehensive analysis of whole-grain cereals, and some ancient grains toward important macro- (protein), micro-nutrients (mineral elements), and bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber (arabinoxylan and β-glucan) and antioxidants (phytic acid, total glutathione, yellow pigment, and phenolic compounds) to provide functionality in a sustainable diet. Genotypes, such as durum wheat, triticale, spelt, emmer wheat, and barley, could be considered important and sustainable sources of protein (ranging 11.10–15.00%), as well as prebiotic fiber (β-glucan and arabinoxylan, ranging 0.11–4.59% and 0.51–6.47%, respectively), essential elements, and various antioxidants. Ancient grains can be considered as a source of highly available essential elements. Special attention should be given to the Cimmyt spelt 1, which is high in yellow pigment (5.01 μg·g⁻¹) and has a capacity to reduce DPPH radicals (186.2 µmol TE·g⁻¹), particularly Zn (70.25 mg·kg⁻¹). The presence of phenolics, dihydro-p-coumaric acid, naringin, quercetin, epicatechin in grains of oats (Sopot), as well as catechin in barley grains (Apolon and Osvit) underline their unique chemical profile, making them a desirable genetic pool for breeding genotypes. This research provides a comprehensive assessment of different nutritional aspects of various cereals (some of which are commonly used, while the others are rarely used in diet), indicating their importance as nutraceuticals. It also provides a genetic background that could be translated the genotypes with even more profound effects on human health.

Contemporary seed gene bank management emphasizes the importance of understanding seed storage behaviour to maximize the preservation of genetic material. In this context, the patterns of naturally occurring ageing-related changes in physiological and biochemical markers were evaluated by comparing the performance of freshly regenerated seed samples (control) to samples kept under cold storage (CS) for 37 years (original, CS1 samples) and five years (CS2 samples). A significant decline in seed viability and physiological quality—initial seedling development—was directly associated with the duration of cold storage, leading to a marked reduction in seedling vigour index (SVI) performance. Key biochemical markers influencing early seedling growth and vigour included total protein, the glutelins protein fraction, fructose, sucrose, both insoluble-bound and soluble-free phenolics—including phenolic acids, and β-carotene. The CS2 samples, which experienced severe water deficit during the post-zygotic phase, exhibited increased sucrose, insoluble-bound p-coumaric acid (p-CouA), insoluble-bound ferulic acid (FA), and α-tocopherol contents. Conversely, glutelins and glucose contents decreased, while genotype-specific variations were observed in albumins, globulins, fructose, maltose, insoluble-bound caffeic acid, and soluble-free p-CouA, as well as in β+γ- and δ-tocopherol contents. Given the consistent pattern of natural ageing-related changes, β-carotene, lutein+zeaxanthin, insoluble-bound FA, and particularly soluble-free FA emerge as relevant biomarkers for improved monitoring of ageing processes under ex situ conservation.

Certain plant species have the potential to establish themselves in agricultural fields, especially when they are already present nearby. Their spread can be influenced by improper management or intentional and unintentional introduction. Recently, cut-leaved gipsywort (Lycopus exaltatus L.) has been increasingly present in some row crops, where it was previously found only along field edges and irrigation channels, with no data about their presence in crops. Currently, no effective control methods for this rhizomatous species have been reported. To address this, 11 herbicides commonly used for weed management in major crops were evaluated in greenhouse studies. These included bentazon, dicamba, foramsulfuron, glyphosate, halauxifen-methyl, imazamox, mesotrione, nicosulfuron, tembotrione, thifensulfuron-methyl, and tribenuron-methyl. A dose-response study was conducted to identify the most effective option for cut-leaved gipsywort control using existing crop protection products. The study evaluated percentage reductions in dry biomass and canopy cover. The results suggest that bentazon, as the only nonsystemic herbicide, was least effective in controlling cut-leaved gipsywort with an effective dose (ED₉₀) estimated at 1.5 × of the recommended labeled rate, or 2,205 g ai ha⁻¹. Plants exposed to dicamba exhibited no regrowth at the field-use rate. Cut-leaved gipsywort may regrow when foramsulfuron, mesotrione, nicosulfuron, and tembotrione are applied at the recommended field-use rates. Halauxifen-methyl and imazamox were most effective, with estimated ED₉₀ values of 0.21 × (0.85 g ai ha⁻¹) and 0.4 × (16.14 g ai ha⁻¹), respectively, which are lower than the recommended labeled rates. Although reduced rates are not recommended because good herbicide stewardship practices should aim to prevent the development of herbicide resistance, with both halauxifen-methyl and imazamox, cut-leaved gipsywort exhibited no regrowth when one-half of the recommended labeled rates were applied.