Agronomic and physical traits of grain in transgenic and conventional corn for industrial use(1)

The agronomic and physical traits of corn are fundamental for producers and industries that use this cereal as a raw material since they interfere in the industrialization processes, yield, and quality of the final products. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic and physical traits of the grain in transgenic and conventional corn hybrids grown in the first crop season (summer) in Parana State. Three experiments were set up in 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 crop seasons. A randomized block design with three replications was used. Eight hybrids (Supremo Vip, Supremo, P30F53VYH, P30F53, P3456H, P3456, DKB290PRO3, DKB290) were evaluated. The physical traits of grains for industrial purposes, such as grits, germ, vitreousness, flotation, and hectoliter weight, and the agronomic traits (percentage of rot grains, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield) were evaluated. The hybrids and crop seasons influence the industrial physical traits of grits and germ. The hybrids Supremo (conventional), Supremo Vip (transgenic), and P3456 (conventional) had the best results. The hybrids and crop season influenced the flotation, hectoliter weight, and vitreousness, highlighting the hybrids Supremo (conventional), Supremo Vip (transgenic), P30F53 (conventional), P30F53 VYH (transgenic), P3456 (conventional), P3456 VYH (transgenic), with the best results. The conventional hybrids showed industrial superiority compared to transgenic hybrids for grits, flotation, and vitreousness.