AGRONOMIC AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF EIGHT TYPES OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) FOR CORNCOB PRODUCTION

Abstract

In Chiapas, México, diverse maize varieties (Zea mays) are cultivated to produce corn on the cob, even when they were not formed for this purpose. Producers sow native or improved varieties, although studies have not yet been performed to determine whether the quality of the biological materials directed at grain production is appropriate for corncob; and whether there is acceptance by consumers. Eight maize materials were evaluated in agronomical terms, in order to identify the genotypes that fulfill the market characteristics to produce corncob with consumer satisfaction, applying a sensory evaluation. A completely random block design with four repetitions was used in Úrsulo Galván, Villaflores, Chiapas, sowing on May 2013 and performing the sensory evaluation in August of the same year. The samples were evaluated through a hedonic scale of nine points, recording highly significant differences (P ? 0.01). The V-526 variety showed the best agronomic characteristics in length (20.5 cm) and diameter (5.0 cm), while the Cristani Burkad variety showed the highest content of total soluble solids (12.5 °Bx). All the genotypes  were evaluated positively by the consumers, with a grade of +2 (like it); however, those of highest acceptance were H-520, A7573 and V-526, with 78.7, 73.7 and 72.3%.