The Effects of Different Nitrogen Doses and Irrigation Levels on Yield, Nutritive Value, Fermentation and Gas Production of Corn Silage

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen doses on yield, yield parameters, silage characteristics, digestibility, gas and methane production of corn silage. Three different irrigation levels (50%, 75% and 100% of depleted water) and 3 different nitrogen doses (100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 N) were applied to corn silage. Experiments were implemented in split-split plots design with three replications during the growing seasons of 2013-2014. Plants were harvested at milk-dough stage and yield and morphologic characteristics were determined. Then, harvested plants were silaged and chemical characteristics were investigated. Irrigation level x nitrogen dose interaction was not found to be significant. Increasing nitrogen doses increased plant height, plant diameter, green herbage yield, crude protein, metabolic energy, gas production and organic matter digestibility and decreased pH levels, ADF and NDF ratios. Increased irrigation levels positively affected green herbage yield, plant height, plant diameter and increased ADF and NDF ratios. Gas production, metabolic energy and organic matter digestibility decreased with increasing irrigation levels. Increasing irrigation levels improved corn yields, but reduced the quality. On the other hand, increasing nitrogen doses had positive contributions both to yield and quality characteristics.

Millet forage yield and silage quality as affected by water and nitrogen application at different sowing dates

“…Probably, N fertilization increased the number of lactic acid bacteria, especially those with a high capacity for acid production, in the silage by increasing CP concentration in the forage (McDonald et al, 1991). In agreement with findings in this study, Kaplan et al (2016) reported that, in addition to its positive effects on silage fermentation, N supply slightly increased the lactic acid content but decreased pH levels.…”

“…Silage is highly nutritive and easily digested by livestock due to its good fermentation (Tukel & Hatipoglu, 1997). Additionally, silage can be used in a variety of nutritional programmes, and its protein is cheaper than that supplied by mixed feeds and supplies a high pro‐vitamin A content (Kaplan et al, 2016; Tumer, 2001). Amer and Mustafa (2010) reported that, relative to maize ( Zea mays L.) silage, millet silage contains higher quantities of crude protein (13.0% vs. 9.4%), neutral detergent fibre (66.9% vs. 40.7%) and acid detergent fibre (38.8% vs. 23.9%).…”

Assessment of Genotype × Trait × Environment interactions of silage maize genotypes through GGE Biplot

“…The environments with high silage yields have also the other traits at high rates. Besides silage yields of silage maize genotypes, cob, stem and leaf ratios were indicated as significant factors influencing the quality (Kaplan et al, 2016).…”

Soil characteristics of soybean fields as effected by compaction, irrigation and fertilization.

“…Nitrogen plays significant roles in chlorophyll, enzymes and thus in plant growth and development. Several previous studies indicated the role of nitrogen in improving crop yields, plant protein contents and nutrient uptake of soybean (Kaplan et al, 2016;Kökten et al, 2014).…”