Biochemical characteristics of corn grain under the presowing seed treatment with rhizobacteria Paenibacillus polymyxa KB and chelate complex of biogenic silicon

We used corn seeds of maize (Zea mays L.) of the Dnieper 196 SV hybrid to analyse presowing seed bacterization and treatment with biogenic silicon that could be promising in growing maize hybrids. Using presowing seed bacterization and treatment with biogenic silicon resulted in the total protein and fibre content increasing by 3 times-4 times and 21-27%, respectively. The mono- and disaccharide content increased by 2-3 times and the starch content decreased up to 10%-20% in corn grains under treatment with both preparations. During presowing seed bacterization, malondialdehyde content increased, whilst the ascorbic acid content, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity, and antioxidant activity reduced. Using presowing seed treatment with BSi resulted in the malondialdehyde content decreasing and the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase increasing. This agricultural method leads to an increase in the protein, carbohydrate, and fibre content, which is valuable in terms of their nutrition. Both variants of presowing seed treatments are promising in growing maize hybrids.