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The development of plant components and their effects on the composition of fresh and ensiled forage maize: 2. The effect of genotype, plant density and date of harvest on the composition of maize silage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. M. Wilkinson  and
R. H. Phipps
J. M. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
The Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5LR
R. H. Phipps
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire RG2 9AT
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Summary

Forage maize was harvested on three occasions from three genotypes (Inra 200, LG11 and Anjou 210), grown at three plant densities (5·0, 9·8 and 13·5 plants/m2). Three replicate silos were filled with 8 kg fresh crop per treatment, sealed, and stored for 100 days.

Crops from all treatments fermented to give predominantly lactic acid, low values for pH (average 3·9, range 3·7–4·1), with no butyric acid. Apparent loss of watersoluble carbohydrates during storage appeared to be directly related to their content at harvest.

Genotype and plant density had relatively little effect on the composition of the silage, or on digestibility in vitro. Later harvest was reflected in increased contents of dry matter and starch, and in restricted fermentation. The content of digestible organic matter in the D.M. was decreased by later harvest.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 92 , Issue 2 , April 1979 , pp. 485 - 491
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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