The experiment was designed in a bifactor model with five maize hybrids (Rasant, Dragon, LG 2252, San and Magister), mowed at two heights, i.e., 10-12 cm (A) and 50 cm (B). The average yield of dry matter of plants cut at a height of 50 cm (B) was 130.5 dt/ha and was significantly lower than the yield obtained from maize mowed at a height of 10-12 cm (A), where it amounted to 148.1 dt/ha. The percentage of ears showed the opposite trend, with 55.3 and 49.2%, respectively. Dry matter in all silages ranged from 35.9 to 42.1%. B silages contained more dry matter and starch, but less structural carbohydrate. Dry matter degradation in the rumen of these silages was increased (65.5-70.0%). Effective ruminal degradability of crude protein of all of the investigated silages (80.0-86.5%) was in the same range as that of starch (79.2-87.3%). A tendency towards reduced protein and starch degradabilities was observed in B silages. The average NDF loss after 24 h of ruminal incubation of silage samples produced from plants mowed at the traditional height (A) was 65.3-66.7%.

Kruczynska, N., Darul, K. and Nowak, W. 2002. Effect of mowing height on nutritive value of maize silage. J . Appl. Anim. Res., 22: 213-218. Iiivestigatioiis encoinpassed inaize silages prepared froin varieties: Rasaiit F A 0 200, Dragon F A 0 21 0, LG 2252, F A 0 230, Sail F A 0 240 and Magister F A 0 270. Dry matter content in case of plants inowed at the height o f 15 cin (A) ranged froin 33.4% (LG 2252) to 38.5% (Magister). Differeiices between varieties i n terms of the chemical composition of silages were slight and not unidirectional. An increase in the height of inowing froin 15 cin (A) to 55 cm (B) resulted iii sigiiificaiit iiicrease in the conceiitratioii of dry matter, decrease i n the ainouiit of structural carbohydrates (ADF, NDF) and improved N D F degradation in t h e ruineii. Variety L G 2252 w a s characterized by the lowest ruininal ,degradation o f starch. Starch digestibility i n the whole digestive tract was 99-100 per cent.