Forty three varieties of maize grain were evaluated: 7 early (FAO 200-210), 26 middle early (FAO 220-240) and 10 middle late varieties (FAO 245-280), cultivated at the same soil and agronomic conditions. Corn was made in 169 day growing season, at full maturity of grain. Compared results of the chemical composition of maize grain standard laboratory methods (reference methods) with the results obtained by spectroscopic analysis (NIRS). The significance of differences between the levels of individual components in the samples depending on the method of testing (laboratory and NIRS) and varieties of grain were tested using two-way analysis of variance. There has been a high correlation between the values of crude protein and crude fat studied by various methods. Calculated nitrogen-free extract the contents of the compounds also showed a high correlation between those used methods of estimation. The relationship between the levels of crude fiber, and analyzed spectrophotometrically standard was highly significantly negative. It was found that there is a possibility of using reflectance spectroscopy in the NIR (NIRS) for rapid determination of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and also calculated nitrogen-free extract in maize grain. Low values of correlation coefficients confirms the large differences in dry matter and crude ash estimated by laboratory methods and NIRS. Potential use of NIRS technology for these components would be possible after the determination of equations taking into account the amendment.

49-56