Secondary metabolites are important components in terms of nutrition and health. Carotenoids and tocopherols, two groups of the fat-soluble components, are also included in this category. There is an increasing interest in the detection of secondary metabolites with near-infrared spectroscopy. However, the number of scientific studies for the detection of these components, especially for tocopherols in corn flour or oil samples by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy is rather limited. This study was carried out to determine the amount of carotenoids and tocopherols in flour and oil samples of 250 different maize genotypes by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy using the partial least squares regression modeling method. Liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometry was used as a reference method in order to determine the contents of five carotenoids and four tocopherol subcomponents. The estimation models were created by using the spectral data collected from ground samples, and oil samples extracted from the same flour; along with the results of the reference analysis. The reliability of these models was tested by external validation (n = 50). The prediction models generated by the spectra taken from corn flour yielded more successful results than the models created with the spectra taken from the oil samples. Among the models compared, the one developed with the spectra taken from flour samples for lutein was the most successful. It is seen that the estimation models generated from flour samples can be used for screening purposes, though different approaches are needed to increase the success of models.

Graphical techniques have become important tools to show results of maize (Zea mays L.) breeding experiments in current literature. The present study compared different graphical techniques to determine the best parental lines and cross combinations for yield and kernel quality traits in maize breeding experiments. We measured single plant yield, protein content, oil content, carotenoid content, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in a 5 x 2 line x tester design. Genotype + genotype x environment (GE) biplot, principal component analysis (PCA) biplot, and polar plot were used to analyze data and compare them with conventional line x tester analysis. In the conventional analysis, parents with high means and positive general combining ability (GCA) values were A680 and HYA for single plant yield, IHP for protein content, IHO and HYA for oil content, A680 and Q2 for carotenoid content, IHP for oleic acid content, and A680 for linoleic acid content. The B73 tester exhibited positive GCA values for most investigated traits. The HYA x B73 combination was the best cross in terms of single plant yield, protein, and oil contents. Results showed that biplot methods had both advantages and disadvantages. The PCA biplots can be used alone while the GGE biplot and polar plots are both useful for combining ability, heterosis, and gene action analysis in a line x tester design. Overall, graphical analysis results were very similar to conventional analysis. Consequently, it was assumed that the graphical methods used could be useful to analyze/present data from maize breeding experiments carried out with a line x tester design.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of different growing media on saffron growth and corm formation in greenhouse conditions. In the experiment four different treatments were used. These were (1) soil+sand (control), (2) soil+sand+manure, (3) soil+sand+manure applied as a double layer above and bottom of corm bed, and (4) soil+sand+manure+ nitfojips-K. The results revealed that effects of the growing media on most of the characters were significant. Cow manure mixtures especially with double layers had a positive effect on the flower and stigma weight.Average flower weight per plant change between 0.157 - 0.240 g. The corm size did not change significantly in treatments 1, 2 and 3. However, in treatment 4, both corm weight and corm size were significantly lower than they were in the other treatments.The results suggested that the growing medium was one of the important factors for saffron flower and corm formation. Key words: Saffron, stigma, yield, corm.