Nutritional Characteristics of Silage and Hay of Pearl Millet at Four Phenological Stages

Abstract

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el valor nutritivo del forraje de mijo perla cosechado en diferentes estados fenológicos. El estudio se realizó en condiciones de riego con la variedad ICMV-221 de doble propósito, del que se tomaron muestras en cuatro estados fenológicos: H7) séptima hoja, HB) hoja bandera o última hoja, E) embuche y F) floración. Las muestras se analizaron por NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy) para determinar su contenido de nutrientes y los resultados se analizaron por medio de análisis de varianza dentro de un modelo completamente al azar. El contenido de materia orgánica se incrementó con la madurez (P<0.003), mientras que el contenido de proteína cruda fue mayor (P<0.005) en el estado de séptima hoja. El contenido de carbohidratos no fibrosos no mostró cambios significativos debidos a la edad de la planta (P>0.05), mientras el de fibra detergente neutra (FDN) fue similar (P>0.05) en los cuatro estados fenológicos y el de fibra detergente ácida (FDA) aumentó del estado de H7 al estado de F (P<0.008). El contenido de lignina (P<0.06) y el de lignina ligada a FDN (P<0.05) se elevaron con la edad. La digestibilidad de la materia seca disminuyó (P<0.0005) con la edad de 81.7 % en H7 a 69.0 % en F. Los contenidos de energía tendieron a reducirse con la madurez, aunque no en forma significativa (P>0.05). Se concluye que la edad del forraje de mijo perla al momento del corte afectó significativamente la mayoría de las variables de valor nutritivo estudiadas, siendo los forrajes más tiernos los que mostraron mejores características forrajeras. ABSTRACT The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the nutritive value of pearl millet forage harvested at different maturity states. The study was made under watering conditions with ICMV-221 two purposes variety. Four samples were taken at each four maturity states: (LS) leaf 7 th , (FL) flag leaf, (BS) boot stage, and (F) flowering. The samples were analyzed by NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy) to determine the nutrients content and results were subjected to analysis of variance into complete randomly model. Organic matter content increased with maturity (P<0.003), while crude protein content was higher (P<0.005) in LS. Non fiber carbohydrates did not show significant changes (P>0.05) with maturity. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was similar (P>0.05) in the four maturity stages, but acid detergent fiber (ADF) content increased (P<0.008) from LS to F stage. Lignin and lignin linked to NDF increased (P<0.05) with age. Dry matter digestibility was reduced (P<0.0005) with age from 81.7 % in LS to 69.0 % in F stage. Energy contents tend to reduce with maturity of forage, but not significant differences were detected (P>0.05). Results indicated that age of pearl millet forage at harvest affected in a significant way almost all parameters of nutritive value. Younger forages showed the best nutritive characteristics.

Divergence in agronomic traits and performance of pearl millet cultivars in Brazilian semiarid region

“…In contrast, the cultivar 'BRS 1501' showed the lowest DMY, probably due to its lowest panicle and stem yield and most top leaves percentage. These results were matched with the findings of Morales et al (2011) that the association and path coefficient analysis exhibited an increase in the DMY due to panicle proportion and leaf:stem ratio. The DDMY is directly associated with the DM production and its digestibility.…”

“…These results were matched with the findings of Morales et al . () that the association and path coefficient analysis exhibited an increase in the DMY due to panicle proportion and leaf:stem ratio.…”

Nutritive value of sunflower silages ensiled with corn or alfalfa at different rate

“…In addition, determination of suitable harvest stages of plants used for silage also are important to increase silage quality. Influences of plants harvest stages on silage quality have been reported by many researchers (Bal et al (1997); Demirel et al 2006a;De Rezende et al 2007;Morales et al 2011).…”

Performance, agronomic traits, ensilability and nutritive value of pearl millet cultivar harvested at different growth stages

“…Similar results were found by Morales et al . (2014) who reported a reduction in ADF and IVDMD associated with increasing concentrations of lignin in pearl millet evaluated in four phenological stages (leaf 7th, flag leaf, boot stage and flowering). A possible explanation for those results is that increasing proportions of grains are typically observed in later maturity stages of pearl millet crops, and this increased proportion of grains may weaken the relationship between plant maturity and digestibility of the whole plant silage.…”