Dietary fiber profile and β-carotene content of corn kernels with specific traits under sustainable cultivation
Issue: 3/2026
Recevied: February 9, 2026
Accepted: July 1, 2026
Published: July 6, 2026
Authors:
B. Šević, Ž. Dolijanović, D. Terzić, V. Rajičić, V. Vasileva, M. Bajagić, V. Cvijanović, J. Stojiljković
Categories: Agricultural
DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3785
Abstract:
A two-year study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the impact of growing cover crops and the application of microbiological fertilizers on the nutritional value of sweet corn hybrid kernels in the experimental field of the Maize Institute "Zemun Polje", Serbia. The experimental design is a randomized split plot with four replications and the factors of year (A), cover crop (B) (4 plant species and 2 mixtures) and microbiological fertilizer (C) were observed. A sweet corn hybrid (ZPSC 421su, FAO group 400) was grown as the main crop.The research results show significant variations in the content of β-carotene (7.08–8.47 μg g-1), total dietary fiber (2.79–3.74%), soluble dietary fiber (0.27–0.56%) and insoluble dietary fiber (2.22–3.30%) depending on the treatment, cover crops and annual meteorological conditions. Cover crops, especially mixtures of winter fodder peas and winter oats, with the application of microbiological fertilizers, increased the content of β-carotene to 8.47 μg g-1, while total dietary fibers reached 3.74% in the second year of the research, which was more favorable in terms of meteorological conditions. An unfavorable first year of the study, caused plant stress, reducing the nutritional value of the kernel. The results indicate the potential of integrated agricultural application of cover crops and microbiological fertilizers practices to mitigate the effects of climate change and a positive impact the nutritional value of sweet corn hybrid kernels.
Citation:
JELEM / HARVARD
Šević, B., Dolijanović, Ž., Terzić, D., Rajičić, V., Vasileva, V., Bajagić, M., Cvijanović, V. and Stojiljković, J. (2026) 'Dietary fiber profile and β-carotene content of corn kernels with specific traits under sustainable cultivation', Journal of Elementology, 31(3), , available: https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3785
MDPI
Šević, B.; Dolijanović, Ž.; Terzić, D.; Rajičić, V.; Vasileva, V.; Bajagić, M.; Cvijanović, V.; Stojiljković, J. Dietary fiber profile and β-carotene content of corn kernels with specific traits under sustainable cultivation. J. Elem. 2026, 31, 3, . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3785
AMA
Šević B, Dolijanović Ž, Terzić D, Rajičić V, Vasileva V, Bajagić M, Cvijanović V, Stojiljković J. Dietary fiber profile and β-carotene content of corn kernels with specific traits under sustainable cultivation. J. Elem. 2026;31(3):. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3785
CHICAGO
Šević Biljana, Dolijanović Željko, Terzić Dragan, Rajičić Vera, Vasileva Viliana, Bajagić Marija, Cvijanović Vojin, Stojiljković Jelena. 2026. "Dietary fiber profile and β-carotene content of corn kernels with specific traits under sustainable cultivation." J. Elem. 31, no.3: . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3785
Keywords:
quality, kernel, cover crops, production
About issue:
31.3.2026
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