Yield and biomass quality of the whole plant of four maize hybrids for silage production

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study on the yields of green matter, dry matter and digestible dry matter of the whole plant of four ZP silage maize hybrids (gown in four different locations in the Republic of Serbia) and the quality of their whole-plant biomass. The results obtained indicate that the highest average yields of green matter (40.4 t•ha -1 ), dry matter (14.4 t•ha -1 ) and digestible dry matter of the whole plant (8.8 t•ha -1 ) were recorded in the ZP 707 hybrid at all four locations considered. The highest average content of lignocellulosic fibres was detected in the ZP 735 hybrid, which also exhibited the lowest dry matter digestibility of the whole plant (57.24%). The highest average digestibility of dry matter (61.00%) and NDF (NDFD -Neutral Detergent Fibres Digestibility) (26.20%) of the whole maize plant was determined in the ZP 707 hybrid, which also had the lowest average content of all lignocellulosic fibres.

Properties of different silage maize hybrids

“…Taller healthy plants with more ears can lead to additional biomass and grain yield (Khan et al, 2019;Crevelari et al, 2018). Plant height varied among the hybrids from 272.88 cm (ZP 366) to 299.88 cm (ZP 555), however, no major differences regarding plant height, nor other agronomic traits such as ear height, ear to plant ratio, leaf width and leaf length were noticed between yellow and red kernel genotypes ( The content of lignocellulosic fibres is one of the most important indicators of the nutritional value and technological quality of maize biomass intended for ruminant nutrition (Terzić et al, 2020). The NDF fraction consists of cell wall material that includes cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica.…”

“…It is based on combining achievements from the field of hybrid improvement for grain production with specific requirements for silage types of hybrids. The breeding of silage maize has re-UDK 664.784.8:598.296.4:636.085.52 Original research paper DOI: 10.5937/ffr47-29244 cently been particularly focused on creating new hybrids with improved whole plant yield, nutritional quality parameters, and agronomic traits that ensure good ensiling properties, however, there has been a decrease in cell wall digestibility, and therefore the feeding value of the maize hybrids (Terzić et al, 2020;Milašinović et al, 2017;Andersen et al, 2008;Barrière et al, 2018). The nutritional value of maize intended for silage preparation is influenced by a number of factors such as genotype (maturity group, cell wall type, endosperm and starch type), agroecological conditions (soil type, fertilization, temperature, precipitation, etc.…”

Possibilities of dried distillers' grains with solubles application in animal feed

“…The maximum level of ash in the feed must not exceed 8% for the majority of animal categories, hence all the investigated feed samples met this criterion (Table 2). The contents of lignocellulosic fibers are among the most important parameters of the nutritional value and technological quality of maize biomass used for ruminant nutrition (Terzić et al, 2020, Milašinović-Šeremešić et al, 2017. In general, the NDF fraction constituents are cell wall materials including cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica.…”

Quality parameters of maize hybrids intended for silage production

“…Thanks to the growing progress of silage technology, whole maize plant is one of the most crucial feedstuffs for animals in the world today (Ayaşan et al, 2020). Developing hybrids with enhanced whole plant yield, nutritional value, and agronomic features that give superior ensiling quality has recently received a lot of attention in the breeding of silage maize (Terzić et al, 2020). Studies have revealed that after the plant reaches its physiological peak, the in vitro digestibility of forages declines as plant maturity grows (Johnson, 1999).…”