Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje
RIK - Repository of the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade / RIK - Repozitorijum instituta za kukuruz Zemun polje, BeogradNot a member yet
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Novel trends in extracting bioactive compounds and exploring antioxidant properties of corn silk
No full textChinese and Native Americans have long utilized corn silk (Stigma
maydis), as an important medicinal plant, for the treatment of a variety of
illnesses. In many regions of the world, including Turkey, the US, and France, it is
also utilized as a remedy in traditional medicine. The biochemical properties and
mechanisms of action of the plant's bioactive components, such as flavonoids, are
closely linked to their potential antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the sample
preparation and optimized extraction protocol are key factors that enable the full
potential of maize silks bioactive compounds to be harnessed effectively.
Researchers continue to explore innovative methods to enhance the extraction
process, aiming to improve yield and potency while minimizing degradation of
these valuable compounds
Lignocellulosic fiber composition and the digestibility of silage maize hybrids cultivated in various locations
No full textSilage maize (Zea mays L.) is extensively cultivated globally. The
crop exhibits a consistently steady yield under diverse environmental and
agronomic circumstances, possesses high energy content, and demonstrates
favorable ensiling properties. This study aimed to investigate the properties of
four ZP maize hybrids intended for silage production. The hybrids were
cultivated at four different locations in Serbia. Dry matter content, lignocellulosic
fiber composition, and the in vitro dry matter digestibility were assessed. An
unlabeled silage maize hybrid was used as a control for comparison of the
analyzed traits. Coefficients of variation were calculated to compare the
differences in hybrid performance at different locations in Serbia. The results
suggest that all of the hybrids used in this study are promising candidates for the
production of high-quality silage for ruminant nutrition
Identification of Kunitz-free soybean lines by the application of different marker types
No full textThe primary protease inhibitors in soybean, Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor (KTI) and Bowman-Birk
Inhibitor (BBI), account for at least 6% of the protein in soybean seeds. Trypsin Inhibitors
(TI) are responsible for the reduced digestibility of seed proteins, making them the major antinutritional components in soybeans. Conventional soybean varieties require heat processing
to deactivate the activity of trypsin inhibitors before being used as animal feed. The breeding
program at the Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje has made significant progress in lowering
the TI activity in soybean grain by developing a promising breeding lines from the crosses of
standard high-yielding varieties with a donor parent lacking KTI. Marker-Assisted Selection
(MAS) appeared to be an efficient tool for speeding up the selection for KTI-free lines, allowing for
identification of desirable plants in early generations with a minimum quantity of plant tissue and
without losing valuable seed samples. Identification of KTI-free lines in segregating generations
is performed by the application of two molecular markers proposed to be tightly linked to KTI
locus–Satt228 and Satt409. The segregation ratio for the presence or absence of KTI among
breeding lines was 3:1, as it was expected for the monogenic trait controlled by a single locus.
Both markers yielded the identical results regarding the DNA profiles of the examined soybean
lines, indicating their reliability for the early-generation selection of KTI-free lines. Results
generated from SSR analysis were validated by the acrylamide Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). There was a strong correlation between the
protein band for Kunitz trypsin inhibitor protein at the position of 21,5 kDa and the Satt228 and
Satt409 marker's banding pattern. Therefore, those two markers can be strongly proposed for
the application in MAS for low KTI in soybean grain. Soybean varieties with reduced protease
inhibitor content could reduce or eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming heat
treatments and minimise the possibility of a decrease in soybean seed protein solubility and
essential amino acid availability
Germination of adapted QPM inbred lines under different temperature patterns of cold stress
No full textMaize is one of the most important crops in the world, widely used as food and feed. Combined drought and high-temperature stress during flowering and grain-filling stages significantly reduce both grain yield and quality. Early sowing contributes to mitigation these negative climate change effects by avoiding unfavourable environment conditions during flowering. However, it implies germination and seedling growth at low temperatures. The aim of this study was to choose the temperatures that will be used to investigate impact of cold stress on germination of adapted maize inbred lines with high nutritive value (QPM). The data provided by the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia was analysed for the period from March 20th until April 10th, 2012-2023, on the territory of Belgrade. Four patterns of temperature fluctuation and duration were observed and used to design four congruent experiments. Maize seedlings were grown in a growth chamber (light intensity 700μmol m−2 s−1, humidity approx. 60%, photoperiod 12/12 h) for 14 days under control (19°C/11°C) and treatment (selected temperature sets) conditions. Germination parameters - germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, mean germination time and germination rate index, as well as root and shoot traits (length, fresh and dry weight), and vigour indices were determined. The temperature set selected for further investigations, which most comprehensively represents environmental conditions that enable successful germination, was as follows: 19° C/11° C for the first two days, then 20° C/13.7° C, 9.4° C/6.3° C, 6.5° C/3.5° C and 19° C/11° C for every three days, respectively. Further studies under controlled and field conditions will help better understand the effect of cold stress on maize seedlings, leading to the identification of promising lines for breeding high nutritive maize suitable for early sowing
Free asparagine and sugars in various maize genotypes as principal precursors of acrylamide formation in food
No full textMaize is used in the production of a wide range of foodstuff, including whole-grain flour,
semolina, extruded snacks, and bakery products, making maize-based foods one of the main
dietary sources of Maillard reaction products. Free amino acids (free asparagine) and
reducing sugars are considered the primary precursors in the formation of heat-induced
contaminants such as acrylamide. In order to identify genetic resources with reduced potential
for acrylamide formation, the contents of free asparagine and reducing sugars were analyzed
in a nineteen maize genotypes cultivated during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 growing seasons at
the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje. HPLC was used to analyze free asparagine with a
DAD detector, while sugars have been analyzed with a RID detector. The obtained results
show that free asparagine and reducing sugar content varies between maize genotypes. Our
findings show no statistically significant difference between the three years in terms of free
asparagine content. However, as it was established, the impact of the environmental
conditions was reflected in the sugar content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was
performed to evaluate genotype differences over the years. Three groups of genotypes can be
distinguished according free asparagine content varying from 200 µg/kg to more than 500
µg/kg. The average content of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose was approximately
55%, 54%, 7%, and 42% lower in genotypes cultivated in 2022, and 3%, 41%, 12%, and 16%
lower in those cultivated in 2023, compared to 2021, respectively. These results suggest that
both genetic background and environmental factors, particularly year-to-year variation, have
significant effects on the content of acrylamide precursors in maize, emphasizing the
importance of genotype selection for safer maize-based food production
Reciprocal effect on grain yield and agronomic traits in single-cross maize hybrids
No full textReciprocal effect in maize refers to the phenotypic difference between reciprocal F1 hybrids.
The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of reciprocal crosses on grain yield, grain
moisture percentage at harvest, plant height, primary ear height, and the number of leaves
above the primary ear. Five single-cross hybrids, their reciprocal crosses and six parental
inbred lines were selected. All hybrids belonged to the late maturity group (FAO 500-600),
with the Lancaster ZPL-7 line as a common paternal parent, i.e., as the maternal parent in
their reciprocal crosses. The experiment was set up in two replications using a completelyrandomized block design in 2016 and 2017, at a total of seven environments. A three-factorial
ANOVA was performed, with hybrid, reciprocal effect and location as factors. The reciprocal
effect significantly influenced grain yield, grain moisture, plant height and ear height, while
hybrid and location were significant for all examined traits. Considering all five hybrids
individually, one hybrid displayed a significant reciprocal effect for grain yield, one for ear
height, and two hybrids for grain moisture and plant height. The effects were both positive
and negative, depending on the genotype itself. No significant differences were observed for
the number of leaves above the primary ear between normal and reciprocal variants. The
largest difference in grain yield was recorded between ZP 606 reciprocal (12.06 t/ha) and ZP
606 normal (11.28 t/ha). Pearson correlations were calculated among the examined traits. All
correlations between grain yield and other traits were significant and positive. The reciprocal
effect has a strong influence on the measured traits, but it is genotype-specific. Therefore, in
future studies, normal and reciprocal variants of all commercial maize hybrids should be
examined
Advancing precision application science through MRIZP and PAT lab collaboration
No full textEstablished in 2012 within the historic West Central Research, Extension and Education
Center (WCREEC, founded in 1904), the Precision Application Technology (PAT) Lab
serves as a national leader in promoting safe, effective, and environmentally responsible
pesticide use. Building on over four decades of pesticide application research, the lab supports
the optimization of approximately 900 million pounds of active ingredients applied annually
across U.S. cropland. By integrating advanced nozzle technologies, application parameters,
and sprayer modifications, the PAT Lab develops science-based solutions to enhance
pesticide efficacy and minimize drift and off-target movement potential. The PAT Lab‘s
research spans laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments, investigating how nozzle
selection, spray quality, solution characteristics, and pressure influence efficacy and crop
safety. Its mission also encompasses translating these findings through outreach and
education, empowering producers with knowledge to implement best management practices
that improve agricultural sustainability. In alignment with this mission, the collaboration
between PAT Lab and the Maize Research Institute ―Zemun Polje‖ (MRI) has flourished
since 2019 under the joint leadership with Dr. Milan Brankov. This partnership has yielded
impactful publications on adjuvants, drift reduction, herbicide programs, and agroecological
practices, highlighting a mutual commitment to advancing practical, science-backed solutions.
In 2025, the collaboration expanded to include research on newly registered conventional and
OMRI-listed products, evaluating their efficacy, crop safety, and environmental behavior.
Beyond joint trials, additional collaborations emerged following visits, including
contributions to data analysis, manuscript and project(s) development. These efforts aim to
ensure practical relevance, particularly in an era when evolving regulatory frameworks
require thoughtful and impactful research. Together, MRI and PAT Lab are shaping the future
of sustainable crop protection
Historical overview of maize breeding at Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje
No full textMaize breeding at Maize Institute "Zemun Polje" began in the 1950s. The collection of initial
material and the employment of experts from post-war Yugoslavia was the first step in the
implementation of the maize breeding program. The program of creating inbred lines from
local populations, started in the early 1950s, marked the beginning of the production of ZP
hybrids of the first breeding cycle. Since then, maize breeding has been carried out through
seven cycles. Each cycle has been characterized by the introduction of new, potentially more
productive hybrids, with improved other agronomic traits (increased tolarance to lodging,
lower ear placement, higher seed production, better tolerance to stress factors, etc.). As a
result of permanent breeding activities, more than 800 maize hybrids has been registered in
Serbia and almost 200 abroad. These results were achieved by the work of generations of
breeders and thanks to the training of researchers in the most eminent scientific institutions
around the world. The modern breeding program is based on conventional breeding methods,
as well as on the introduction of new techniques and methodologies. Specialized machinery
have routinely been used for sowing and harvesting for many seasons. Acceleration of
breeding process is achieved by use of winter nursery services in South America and by the
application of the double haploid technology. Implementation of doubled haploid technology
began in 2014, with the aim to create DH lines and new haploid inducers, adapted to
temperate climatic conditions. So far, around 20.000 DH lines was created and several maize
hybrids, containing at least one DH line have been registered. SNP molecular markers are
used for genetic characterization of elite maize germplasm and for the determination of
genetic distance between inbred lines. This allows more precise insight into elite germplasm
and increases the possibility of creating superior hybrid combinations. Recent research studies
are related to the use of high-throughput field phenotyping (HTFP), using RGB and dronebased multispectral cameras for extraction and visualization data per plot. The main idea is to
expand knowledge and provide new skills to be utilized for automation of data collection and
trait prediction