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Yield and Quality of Silage Corn as Affected by Hybrid Maturity, Planting Date and Harvest Stage |
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J. D. Kim, C. H. Kwon, D. A. Kim |
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| Abstract |
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Silage corn (Zea mays L) is grown extensively in livestock operations, and many managements focus on forage yield. This experiment was conducted at Seoul National University (SNU) Experimental Livestock Farm, Suwon in 1998. We determined the effect of planting date and harvest stage on forage yield and quality responses of corn hybrids (five relative maturity groups). The five maturity groups (100 d, 106 d, 111 d, 119 d and 125 d) were planted on 15 April and 15 May, and harvested at maturity stages (1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 kernel milkline). Whole plant dry matter (DM) and ear percentages had significant differences among corn hybrids. Ear percentages of early maturing corns (100 d and 106 d) were higher than for other hybrids. Ear percentage at the early planting date was higher than that at the late planting date for all corn hybrids. The DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields of the 106 d and 111 d corn hybrids were higher than other hybrids, and the DM and TDN yields at the early planting date were higher than that at the late planting date. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) percentages were greater for the late maturity corn hybrids. For plants of the early planting date, the ADF and NDF percentages were lower than for those of late planting date for hybrids. From the comparison among harvest stages, ADF and NDF percentages were decreased as harvest stage progressed. The TDN, net energy for lactation (NEL), and cellulase digestible organic matter of dry matter (CDOMD) were decreased as maturity of corn hybrid delayed. The TDN, NEL, and CDOMD values at the early planting date were higher than those at the late planting date among for corn hybrids. From the comparison among harvest dates, TDN, NEL, and CDOMD values were increased as harvest stage progressed. The correlation coefficient for DM percentage of grain at harvest with DM and TDN yields were 0.68*** and 0.76***, respectively. And the correlation coefficient for ear percentage with ADF, NDF, and CDOMD were -0.81***, -0.82*** and 0.73***, respectively. Our study showed differences of silage corn in forage production and quality resulting from hybrid maturity, planting date, and harvest stage. We believe that for the best silage corn, selection of the hybrid and best management practices are very important. |
| Keywords:
Forage Yield and Quality; Maturity Stage; Kernel Milkline |
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