Meta-analysis of corn plants, green fodder (ensilage), and silages of different types of maize hybrids used in experimental conditions in Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of scientific publications from January 1994 to December 2014, to evaluate the chemical composition of corn plants, green forage, and silages of three different types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and triple) used in experimental conditions in Brazil. The sub-bases Corn Cultivation and Green Fodder were composed of 49 experiments, consisting of 481 treatments, and the sub-base Silage consisted of 24 studies composed of 163 treatments, involving 478 silos. In the Corn Cultivation sub-base, the variables of spacing, plant height, grain yield, organic matter content, and total carbohydrates of maize silage differed (P < 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The number of corn plants per hectare, number of spikes per plant, and the levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and lignin did not differ (P > 0.05) according to the hybrid type. In the Green Forage sub-base (ensilage), the main difference (P < 0.05) was regarding the in vitro dry matter digestibility, whereby the triple hybrids (59.38%) had lower values than the simple (73.05%) and double (72.74%) hybrids. In the Silage sub-base, the variables of organic matter, total carbohydrates, cellulose, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and pH differed (P < 0.05) according to the hybrid type. While the variables dry matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, lignin, total digestible nutrients, ethereal extract, crude protein, and ammonium nitrogen did not differ (P > 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The variability in the determination of parameters, such as dry matter yield, dry matter content, and non-fibrous carbohydrates of corn silage, and the non-determination of the starch content demonstrated that the chemical compositions of Brazilian corn silage have not yet been fully clarified. The types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and/or triple) mainly differ in terms of grain production. In many situations, the silage processes are not conducted in an ideal way, and the differences as a function of the maize plants (type of hybrid) are minimized due to losses during the ensiling process.

Bioprospecting of Sechium spp. varieties for the selection of characters with pharmacological activity

“…They have recently been applied to the agricultural sector to facilitate the nutritional improvement of crops (chickpea and avocado) and have outlined varied responses to factors analyzed from independent studies, such as micronutrients and mycorrhizal symbiosis [54][55][56][57] . Other studies try to elucidate new agri-food applications such as soil amendment, water use, crop selection and natural resource optimization over time and across different regions 58,59 .…”

“…The systematic reviews involved in the meta-analysis were directed toward the use of information already disclosed, to be reanalyzed with new approaches and perspectives for research 58 , 59 . An important aspect in selecting criteria was that the studies required complete information, with traceable data and reproducible results, to reduce or avoid biases in research 57 , 60 .…”

Caracterização de diferentes classes genéticas de milho cultivados em região semiárida quanto ao potencial forrageiro

“…É muito observado, ainda, a utilização de cultivares híbridas pelos agricultores, pois, estes não utilizam outras classes genéticas disponíveis por falta de conhecimento sobre a potencialidade de cada uma destas em sua região. Cada classe genética possui uma demanda de nível tecnológico utilizada no cultivo, para obterem respostas produtivas positivas da cultura [19].…”