Yield, Chemical Composition and Ruminal Fermentability of Corn Whole Plant, Ear, and Stover as Affected by Maturity

Abstract

The nutritive value of corn (Zea mays L.) grain remains relatively constant; nutrient content and digestibility, however, may vary significantly in the remaining corn plant parts. Understanding of the relationships between plant maturity and plant component yield, nutrient content, and digestibility is important for prudent harvest management of nongrain corn parts. Six corn hybrids planted at two locations (Nampa, ID, and Modesto, CA) were used to evaluate the effects of maturity on yield, chemical composition, and ruminal fermentability of whole plant, ear, and stover. Maturities evaluated were: A, milk line ⅓ from the top of the kernel; B, milk line ⅔ from the top of the kernel; and C, black layer formation. Location × maturity interactions were not observed, therefore data were pooled across location. Neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF) increased (P < 0.01) in stover and decreased (P < 0.05) in whole plant and ear samples when maturity advanced from A to B. Stover samples showed a further increase (P < 0.01) in these fiber components as maturity advanced from the B to the C stage. Whole plant and ear fiber composition did not change (P > 0.10) between the B and C maturities despite a progressive increase (P < 0.01) in grain composition of the whole plant. Calculations of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and net energy for lactation (NE1) based on the ADF content of the samples indicated differences (P < 0.01) between B and C maturities for stover samples but not for whole plant and ear samples. Stover samples, but not whole plant and ear samples, increased (P < 0.05) in lignin content with each increase in maturity. When ruminal fermentability was measured by incubating samples in situ for 24 h, percent dry matter (DM) disappearance was reduced (P < 0.01) with each advance in maturity for both the stover and the whole plant samples. The lower in situ DM disappearance for C vs. B maturity whole plant samples, which was not reflected in a similar reduction in calculated TDN, suggests an inadequacy in using ADF content as the sole indicator of the whole plant energy value. Yield of DM and of calculated TDN reached a plateau at the B maturity as no differences were observed for B vs. C maturity. These data indicate benefits to harvesting at proper maturity stages for corn whole plant, ear and especially stover.

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of whole-crop maize fertilized with synthetic fertilizer or digestate and harvested at two maturity stages in Boreal growing conditions

“…The increase in starch content of whole-crop maize and the parallel reduction in the content of water-soluble carbohydrate, with the later harvest, were in accord with Hunt et al (1989), Filya (2004) and Lynch et al (2012). This can be related to the increased contribution of cob to the whole-crop DM yield and accumulation of starch in the grains during the maturation period (Cone et al 2008, Lynch et al 2012 (Lynch et al 2012(Lynch et al , 2013.…”

Effects of hybrid and row spacing on maize forage yield and quality

“…(Table 3). Hunt et al (1992) found out that NDF of hybrids varied from 417 to 490 g/kg and ADF from to 239 to 283 g/kg. The silage maize producer may wish to consider hybrid quality characteristics in addition to DM yields before selecting a hybrid (Graybill et al 1991).…”

Effect of different nitrogen levels and cutting stages on crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter and green fodder yield of oat (Avena sativa L.)

“…Meager digestibility and poorer intake are usually linked with high fiber content and low protein content. As the crops get mature, dry matter and cell wall constituents raise and protein contents drop [9]. Realizing the fact that Pakistan and especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region is lacking of green fodder for its animals both in term of quantity and quality-and keeping in view the above facts an experiment entitled effect of different nitrogen levels and cutting stages on crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter and green fodder yield of oat (Avena sativa L.) was designed to investigate the optimum level of nitrogen and best cutting stage harness a reasonable nutritive green fodder for the animals.…”