Unveiling the Physical and Nutritional Profiling of Grains in Maize Landraces and Hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L.) landraces are rich sources of genetic and nutritional diversity, yet their compositional traits remain undercharacterized compared to modern hybrids. This study compiled and analyzed data from 1554 maize samples—995 landraces and 559 hybrids—evaluated at the CIMMYT Maize Quality Laboratory over more than a decade. Traits assessed included kernel structure, macronutrients, iron, zinc, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Landraces showed greater variability and higher average concentrations of protein (10.88 vs. 9.92%), iron (17.63 vs. 13.91 mg kg−1), zinc (22.70 vs. 18.98 mg kg−1), and anthocyanins, whereas hybrids, particularly those developed through provitamin A biofortification programs, exhibited higher average provitamin A (3.33 vs. 1.84 µg g−1) and total carotenoid concentrations. Correlations between kernel structural components and nutrient composition highlighted the structural basis of grain quality variation. These findings demonstrate that landraces and hybrids provide complementary nutritional profiles that can jointly support breeding, food innovation, and sustainable food systems.