Nutritional and Economical Evaluation of Ensiling Maize Teosinte Hybrid Forage Compared With Maize Silage in Egypt

Abstract

ix hybrids of maize crop (MS) (Zea mays L.) and maize teosinte hybrid forage (MTF) (Zea Mexcana Schrad) were planted separately for 2 seasons under practical conditions of farms in north of Delta Egypt to estimate economic and nutritional benefits of maize teosinte hybrid silage (MTS) compared with maize silage (MS) on the mixed farming systems (crop / livestock) at the national level. This study included also 3 proposal scenarios (S) to evaluate effect of generalization MTS package to cover the feed gap as (TDN and DCP) and maize as grain gap or reduce grain maize in Egypt. S1: Replacement of corn fodder ( drawa) area (310088 feddan) by MTS.S2:Replacement of MS area(438547 feddan) by MTS.S3:Replacement of drawa and MS area (748634 feddan ) by MTS. Highly significant differences were recorded among MTF and all tested MC as fresh or silage on DM basis and fresh yield. The MTF produced the highest total fresh and dry forage along with fresh and dried as silage yields 60.18, 16.02 and 54.16 and 15.10 ton/feddan (fed) ve. 20.87 and 5.81 for MC and18.78 and5.42 ton/fed. for MS, respectively. Chemical composition and feeding values of both silages were not significant different except CF. MTS showed the highest value of TDN ( 66.30% vs. 64.17%) and the lowest value of DCP (4.48% vs. 4.92%) without significant differences between the two kinds of silages. All tested genotypes of MTS and MS showed high quality silages with suitable fermentation characteristics. Applied S1 at the national level could be reduced TDN and DCP gap by 73.88 and 66.67% and covering about 15.01% of maize grain gap (S1).While S2 and S3 reduced TDN and DCP by 104.9, 94.30% and 178.36, 160.97%, respectively. Meantime high quality feed resources as TDN and DCP would be increased by + 3.29 and + 0.19 million ton, respectively at the national level. Key word: Maize (Zea mays L.); Maize teosinte (Zea Mexicana Schrad) hybrid; Nutritive value; Silage quality Feed gape (TDN and DCP) in Egypt.