Enhanced Nutritional Quality of Sweet Maize Kernel in Response to Cover Crops and Bio-Fertilizer

Cover crops (CC) are an important low-input strategy in sustainable agricultural systems. The impact of different CC (common vetch, field pea, winter oats, fodder kale, common vetch + oats and pea oats), organic mulch, control treatment-fallow, bio-fertilizer (BF) application, on yield quality sweet maize kernel was evaluated. biomass higher mixtures: as well kale. Kernel its chemical composition varied significantly by CC, BF, year, their interaction. Organic mulch enhanced the concentration sugars glutathione kernel. BF increased yield, sugars, vitamin C, Mg, Fe, Zn, reduced phytate concentration. highest Mg Mn achieved with Zn Fe oats. same treatments expressed variability phytate, phenolics, yellow pigment, thus affecting further bio-availability essential elements. Results indicate that a semi-arid climate, under rain-fed conditions, such kale could enhance productivity quality, serving part cropping system, to facilitate food security.