NIXTAMAL QUALITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAIZE CROPPING ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The nixtamal production in México demands high quality maize (Zea mays L.). To achieve the required quality, it is necessary to know the influence of cropping practices on the biometric properties of the grain. This study evaluated quality characteristics of nixtamal of hybrid maize ‘Puma’ distributed by Monsanto, cultivated during the 2004 Spring-Summer season with five irrigation-fertilization ratios (50-50 %, 50-75%, 75-50 %, 75-75 % y 100-100 %, of 80 cm irrigation and 200 kg of N ha^-1). The experimental design was a randomized block design with five replications. It was observed that reduction of 25 % in water surface and on the nitrogen applied (75-75 % treatment) significantly increased grain yield and improved the nixtamal making process.