Exploring the effects of tree presence on maize pest damages, seed health, grain yield, nutritive value, and nutraceutical compounds

The present study evaluates the effects of tree presence in an agroforestry system on maize performance, focusing on yield, nutritive value, fatty acid composition, and resistance to biotic stresses. Two maize hybrids, FAO C300 and FAO C500, were cultivated (i) in the narrow alleys of an agroforestry alley-cropping system based on SRC poplar tree rows and (ii) in a treeless control system. In 2023, the results indicate that tree presence does not reduce the average grain yield. However, a significant interaction between systems and maize hybrids was observed. FAO C500 demonstrated superior adaptability to the agroforestry environment, likely due to its longer growth cycle and more developed leaf and root systems, which allow for better resource utilization under water stress conditions. Tree presence did not affect the fatty acid profile of the grains, although FAO C500 accumulated more linoleic acid, while FAO C300 showed higher levels of oleic acid. The agroforestry environment reduced seed infestation by Aspergillus niger, particularly in the FAO C500 hybrid, but increased damage by insects on ear surfaces. These findings highlight the variability in maize hybrid suitability for agroforestry; however, since these results are based on only one year of experimentation, further trials over multiple years are necessary to validate these findings and gain a deeper understanding of tree effects on maize performance.