Qualitative attributes and postharvest conservation of green ears of maize grown on different cover crops in organic no-till system

ABSTRACT Postharvest quality of sweet maize varies depending on the type of seed, soil, quality of fertilizer, climatic conditions, and stage of maturation. This study aimed to evaluate the post-harvest quality and shelf life of green ears of maize grown on three soil covers in organic no-till sytem. The study was conducted in the municipality of Domingos Martins, ES (20° 22'16.91" S and 41° 03' 41.83" W). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with six replications and five treatments, consisting of three cover crops in organic no-till system: black-oat straw, white lupin, oat/lupin intercrop and two systems, organic and conventional, without straw. Maize double hybrid AG-1051 was sown in a spacing of 1.00 x 0.20 m. The variables evaluated included relative percentage of grain, straw and cob, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, grain moisture and shelf life. The use of different straws in the organic no-till system does not influence the postharvest quality of green ears. Ears packed in polystyrene trays with plastic film are suitable for marketing until the fifth day of storage at room temperature.

摘要 甜玉米的采后品质会因种子类型、土壤条件、肥料质量、气候环境以及成熟阶段的不同而有所差异。本研究旨在评估有机免耕体系（organic no-till system）下三种土壤覆盖物种植的玉米青穗的采后品质与货架期。本实验于巴西圣埃斯皮里图州多明戈斯马丁斯市（南纬20°22'16.91" S，西经41°03'41.83" W）开展。实验采用随机区组设计，设置6次重复，共5组处理：有机免耕体系下的3种覆盖作物（黑燕麦秸秆、白羽扇豆、燕麦/羽扇豆间作），以及2种无秸秆覆盖的体系（有机体系与常规体系）。供试材料为双交玉米品种AG-1051，种植行距为1.00 m，株距为0.20 m。测定指标包括籽粒、秸秆与穗轴的相对占比，pH值、可滴定酸度、可溶性固形物含量、籽粒含水率以及货架期。研究结果表明，有机免耕体系中使用不同秸秆覆盖并不会影响玉米青穗的采后品质。采用聚苯乙烯托盘辅以塑料薄膜包装的青穗，在室温储存条件下可于第5天前正常上市销售。