Evaluation of Mexican Native and Hybrid Maize (Zea Mays) Silages for Sustainable Milk Production

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Maize cultivation and dairy cattle represent two of the main economic activities in Mexico. <strong>Objective</strong>. Determine the forage yield (ton / ha) and forage quality of the maize silage produced in Mexico and estimate potential milk production. <strong>Methodology</strong>. For this purpose, 13 studies carried out in Mexico, were analyzed according to study area (north vs. center of Mexico) and variety (native vs. hybrid). For inclusion in the final database, the studies should have been including agronomic and chemical variables such as: dry matter yield (DMY) (ton / ha), plant density (number of plants / ha), dry matter content (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ash or organic matter (OM), dry matter digestibility (DMD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), starch and fat content. The data were analyzed using a completely randomized statistical design. <strong>Results</strong>. The forage DMY (dry matter yield) / ha, and the milk production (ton DM / ha) were higher (P <0.0001) for the central region with respect to the northern region. Regarding to the milk production (kg milk/ ha) the native silages produced more (P <0.05) than the hybrids. A positive correlation was observed for the content of NEL (net energy of lactation) (MJ / kg DM) and kg milk / ton DM. <strong>Implications</strong>. The native maize of Mexico thus has the potential to provide greater production of milk / ha and kg Milk/ per ton DM with respect to hybrid maize, due to the higher digestibility of the NDF that causes the higher NEl.<strong> Conclusions.</strong> The use of native maize in Mexico is a viable alternative for use as a silage in feed for dairy cows, with higher milk production per hectare and per ton of dry matter compared to hybrid maize.</p>

Growth and yield of tropical maize landraces and commercial genotypes in Yucatan, Mexico

“…Maize genotypes DK-390, San Pableño, VS-536, Impacto, and Chimbo were statistically similar and superior to Elotillo (Figure 2a). In the study conducted by Robles-Jimenez et al (2021), to determine the forage yield of maize landraces in Mexico authors reported an average of 279.1 g plant -1 which is higher than the dry matter observed in our study. These differences may be attributed to differences in maize genotypes and soil fertility.…”

The Impact of Genotype on Chemical Composition, Feeding Value and In Vitro Rumen Degradability of Fresh and Ensiled Forage of Native Maize (Zea mays L.) from Mexico

“…These breeds are constituted of varieties known as local or criollas, and although they lack formal genetic improvement, they have adapted to the instability of the agroecological conditions of their environment through evolutionary processes [3,4], which is why they have even been used to generate improved varieties. The above evidence shows that native varieties play an important role for the resilience of the agricultural sector facing climate change, and that they constitute a valuable plant genetic resource not only for grain production, but also for forage production [5]. In this sense, it has been shown that there are native varieties of maize with potential for forage production, and that they can respond better than improved varieties in terms of dry-matter yield and nutritional value [6].…”

Yield and Chemical Composition of Forage and Silage of Native Maize Under Irrigated Semi-Arid Conditions

“…When considering these criteria, it has been estimated that contents of 88,270,229,431,225 and 49 g kg -1 of crude protein, starch, soluble carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ash, respectively, are obtained (Liu et al, 2021). Furthermore, net lactation energy values range from 1.09 to 1.55 Mcal kg -1 of dry matter (Robles-Jimenez et al, 2021). Improved seeds are currently used for maize forage production, with which grain and forage yields have increased.…”

“…However, these available genotypes may not thrive in the future as a result of climate change, since a combination of biotic (higher temperature, water deficiency) and abiotic (pest and pathogen attack) factors would significantly reduce production (Malhi et al, 2021). Native maize is a source of germplasm from which genotypes with improved tolerance mechanisms against environmental stressors could be obtained (Robles-Jimenez et al, 2021). Those native genotypes are indeed adapted to the specific environmental conditions prevailing where they are grown and of course with a lower investment.…”

“…Native maize, under conditions of water deficiency stress, has shown higher forage yields and tolerance to pests compared to hybrids or improved varieties (Godina et al, 2020). Furthermore, native maize is a viable alternative for use as silage because it increases milk production per hectare and per ton of dry matter compared to hybrid maize (Robles-Jimenez et al, 2021). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield and chemical composition of green forage and silage of native and hybrid maize with forage potential under semiarid conditions in Tula, Tamaulipas, Mexico.…”