Effect of different irrigation regimes and zeolite application on yield and quality of silage corn hybrids

Abstract

Present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of irrigation regimes and zeolite on the yield and quality parameters of silage corn hybrids. Study was conducted at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in Karaj, Iran during 2013. The experiment was arranged in a three-replicated split-spilt plot based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) including three irrigation regimes as main plots (irrigation after 70, 100 and 130 mm evaporation from standard class A evaporation pan), two levels of zeolite as sub plots (0, 10 ton/ha) and three hybrids of silage corn (KSC704, KSC705 and KSC720) as sub subplot. Results of this study indicated that increasing water stress from optimum irrigation (Ir70) to moderate (Ir100) and low irrigation (Ir130) caused 25 and 37% reduction in forage dry matter yield but no significant difference was reported in protein yield. Moreover, application of zeolite have significant effect on forage yield and also have significant effect on protein yield (P<0.01). Forage quality parameters including water soluble carbohydrates, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber increased and dry matter digestibility reduced when there was limited irrigation imposition. Among the tested corn seed hybrids KSC704 hybrid produced the highest dry forage yield and in terms of protein yield, no significant difference was reported between KSC720. KSC705 hybrid had the lowest acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber and the highest dry matter digestibility.

Comparison of physical and quality characteristics of silage maize and silage sorghum under deficit irrigation conditions

“…This situation showed that deficit irrigation reduces the digestibility of feed. Likewise, Seif et al (2016) reported that NDF increased in maize under water stress conditions.…”