Hostname: page-component-7dd5485656-6kn8j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-31T15:06:38.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The development of plant components and their effects on the composition of fresh and ensiled forage maize: 1. The accumulation of dry matter, chemical composition and nutritive value of fresh maize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. H. Phipps  and
R. F. Weller
R. H. Phipps
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT
R. F. Weller
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Results from two trials, in which the effects of genotype, plant density and harvest date on the accumulation of dry matter and the chemical composition and nutritive value of plant components, are presented. Inra 200, LG11, Maris Saffron, Caldera 535, Anjou 210 and White Horse Tooth were established at 5·0, 9·8 and 13·5 plants/m2 in factorially designed experiments.

In vitro digestible organic matter in the dry matter, water-soluble carbohydrates, starch, total nitrogen, acid-detergent fibre, cellulose, lignin, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese and copper were analysed for the whole crop and plant components.

With the exception of White Horse Tooth, stem yields declined after reaching a peak 2–3 weeks after mid-silk. This was attributed to movement of water-soluble carbohydrates from the stem to the ear, with greater movement being associated with a larger ear component. As a result the in vitro digestible organic matter in the dry matter value of the stem component was greater for crops containing a small proportion of ear. The higher stem digestibility value compensated for the small ear component, with the result that the varying proportions of plant components did not markedly affect whole-crop digestibility prior to ensiling.

The greater deposition of starch in crops with a large ear component caused a significantly more rapid rise in whole-crop D.M. content than in crops with a small ear component.

Acid-detergent fibre and lignin values for the whole crop were much lower than those recorded in the U.S.A. Genotype and plant density had no effect on mineral content but phosphorus and potassium concentrations declined dramatically after frost.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 92 , Issue 2 , April 1979 , pp. 471 - 483
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Adelana, B. O. & Milbourn, G. M. (1972). The growth of maize. 1. The effect of plant density on yield of digestible dry matter and grain. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 78, 65–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allen, M., Elhzey, H. D., Nelson, B. D. & Montgomery, G. R. (1974). Effects of nitrogen, population and hybrid on yield and quality of irrigated corn for silage on Providence Soil. Louisiana Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin, No. 676.Google Scholar
Bunting, E. S. (1971). Plant density and yield of shoot dry material in maize in England. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 77, 175–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bunting, E. S. (1975). The question of grain content and forage quality in maize: comparison between isogenic fertile and sterile plants. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 85, 455–463.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bunting, E. S. (1976). Effect of grain formation on dry matter distribution and forage quality in maize. Experimental Agriculture 12, 417–428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colenbrander, V. F., Lechtenberg, V. L. & Bauman, L. F. (1975). Feeding value of low lignin corn silage. Journal of Animal Science 41, 332–333.Google Scholar
Clanton, D. C. & Karn, J. F. (1973). Yield and feed value of selected silage crops fed to calves. University of Nebraska/Lincoln College of Agriculture, Bulletin SB/522.Google Scholar
Daynard, T. B. & Hunter, R. B. (1975). Relationships among whole plant moisture, grain moisture, dry matter yield and quality of whole crop silage. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 55, 77–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deinum, B. & Dirven, J. G. P. (1971). Climate, nitrogen and grass. 4. The influence of age on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of maize (Zea mays L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 19, 264–272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Demarquilly, C. (1973). Composition chimique, valeur nutritive et ingestibilité pour le ruminant des différentes formes de mais. L' Élevage. Numéro hors série ‘Le Mais’, pp. 146–147.Google Scholar
Genter, C. F. & Camper, H. M. (1973). Component plant parts, development in maize as affected by hybrid and population density. Agronomy Journal 65, 669–671.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Genter, C. F., Jones, G. D. & Carter, M. T. (1970). Dry matter accumulation and depletion in leaves, stems and ears of maturing maize. Agronomy Journal 62, 535–537.Google Scholar
McAllan, A. B. & Phipps, R. H. (1977). The effect of sample date and plant density on the carbohydrate content of forage maize and the changes that occur on ensiling. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 89, 589–597.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O'Shea, J. O., Valle Ribeiro, M. A. & Moran, M. A. (1973). Relationship between digestigility (in vitro), crude fibre and cellulose content of some animal feeds. Irish Journal of Agricultural Research 7, 173–181.Google Scholar
Phipps, R. H. (1975). A note on the effect of genotype, density and row width on the yield and quality of forage maize. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 84, 567–569.Google Scholar
Thomson, A. J. & Rogers, H. H. (1968). Yield and quality components in maize grown for silage. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 71, 393–403.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tilley, J. M. A. & Terry, R. A. (1963). A two stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. Journal of the British Grassland Society 18, 104–111.Google Scholar
Wilkinson, J. M. & Osbourn, D. F. (1975). Objectives in breeding forage maize for improved nutritive value. Proceedings of the 8th Congress of Eucarpia, Paris, 1975, pp. 601–639.Google Scholar
Van Soest, P. J. (1973). Determination of acid detergent fibre. Journal of the Association of Analytical Chemists 4, 781–784.Google Scholar