Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the three most important food crops worldwide. Maize growth is affected by high aluminium content in acid soils, which constitute nearly 50% of the world’s cultivable area. Therefore, the cultivation of aluminium-tolerant maize hybrids could be a healthier alternative and an attractive food source in these regions. In this regard, to produce hybrids kernels,16 inbred lines aluminium-tolerant (Al-T) and aluminium-susceptible (Al-S) maize were screened for their constitutive patterns of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. Proximate analysis, free phenolic acids (FPA) and cell wall-bound phenolic acids (CPA) contents, as well as antioxidant capacity (AOX) were assayed in the anatomical kernel parts (pericarp, endosperm, and germ). Kernels of Al-T maize contained significantly higher germ protein, oil, and fibre (2.9, 3.0, and 0.5%, respectively) than Al-S kernels (1.9, 1.8, and 0.3%,respectively). Importantly, the nutraceutical contents in terms of pericarp FPA and germ CPA were significantly higher in kernels belonging to Al-T maize (92 mg and 140 mg EGA/100 g). The highest AOX was observed in germ CPA of Al-T kernels (9.0 mmol TE/100 g). The results herein indicate that Al-tolerance mechanisms induce positive changes in the nutrients and phytochemicals; this implies that the hybrids generated using Al-T maize inbred lines could emerge as an attractive source of nutrients and phytochemicals in farming regions containing acid soils.

Abstract The framework conditions for chemical weed control in oilseed rape (OSR) are becoming increasingly unfavorable in Central Europe. On the one hand, weed resistance is spreading and, on the other, there is a growing social desire to reduce or eliminate the use of chemical crop protection products. In a field experiment, hoeing, as a weed control measure performed two times per growing season (one time in autumn and one time in spring) in oilseed rape (Brassica napus; two varieties), was compared to chemical control by herbicides and a combination of hoeing and herbicide application (five treatments altogether). The chemical control by herbicides consisted of a broad-spectrum preemergence treatment and a post-emergence graminicide application. The trial was set up in each of three periods (years 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017) at the experimental station Ihinger Hof, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. The effect of the treatments on weed plant density, weed biomass at the time of harvesting, and on OSR grain yield was investigated. Weed plant density was measured four times per trial year, each time before and after hoeing. In 2015/2016 after spring hoeing, and in 2016/2017 at all data collection times, weed plant density was significantly higher in hoeing without herbicide application than in the other variants. No significant differences occurred at the other data collection times. The weed plant density ranged from 0.5 to 57.8 plants m−2 .Regardless of the trial year, pure hoeing always resulted in a significantly higher weed biomass at the time of harvesting than the herbicide applications or the combinations. The weed biomass at the time of harvesting ranged between 0.1 and 54.7 g m−2 . No significant differences in grain yield between hoeing and herbicide application occurred in all three trial years. According to the results, hoeing is a suitable extension of existing integrated weed control strategies in OSR.