The yield and nutritive value of maize hybrids grown for silage

Abstract

The effect of hybrid and plant population on yield, metabolisable energy content and nitrogen percentage of forage maize were investigated in a trial which included seven maize (Z. mays L.) hybrids established at 75 000, 100 000, and 140 000 plants/ha. Biomass yield and its distribution among morphological components were measured in all plots, while metabolisable energy content and nitrogen percentage of each component were measured in the 100 000 plants/ha plots only. There were significant hybrid differences in yield and yield distribution among components. Yields ranged from 15 800 to 20 700 kg DM/ha, the greatest contribution coming from grain, followed by stem, cob, and leaf. Plant population had no effect on dry matter partitioning, but forage yields declined significantly at the lowest population. Crop metabolisable energy content ranged from 10.3 to 11.3 MJ/kg DM with significant differences among hybrids, but was not correlated with forage yield or the relative contribution to yield of any component.

Effect of poultry litter on silage maize (Zea mays L.) production and nutrient uptake

“…On the whole, this is similar to that reported by other authors (Eghball, 2000;Binder et al, 2002;Eghball et al, 2004;Hermann and Taube, 2004;O'Neill et al, 2004;Powell et al, 2004;Warren et al, 2006), although lower than the N concentration reported by Nevens and Reheul (2003) and Eghball et al (2004), andMillner et al (2005) for the same crop grown with different organic amendments.…”

“…2) for the different treatments over the two years was higher than that reported by other authors (Cox and Cherney, 2001;Millner et al, 2005). In general, during the two year of evaluation the dry matter production was similar between the treatments fertilized.…”

“…The cultivar used in the first years was DK-567 (Dekalb); in the second years P 3527 (Pioneer) was sown. The crop was harvested at the moment of silage maturity (i.e., when it represented 30-35% of the dry matter of the whole plant) (Plénet and Lemaire, 2000;Millner et al, 2005). In each plot, 10 contiguous plants from the central row were cut 10 cm above the soil surface and weighed.…”

Influence Of Meteorological Factors On Maize Performance In Latvia

“…A similar CP concentration in forage yield to our results (6.7-8.7%) was reported by Millner et al (2005) in New Zealand and by Lauer et al (2001) in the USA for hybrids developed in different decades of the last century. Lauer et al (2001) concluded that CP concentration in maize forage had not changed significantly since 1930.…”

“…This can be explained by better performance of earlier hybrids in poor years or conditions, and superior performance by later-maturity hybrids in suitable conditions. Delayed sowing of late hybrids in poor years can also decrease the DM yield (Millner et al 2005). We used hybrids with different-maturity in our study, they were exposed to possible unfavourable conditions in more or less diverse development stages, causing inconsistent effect on maize yield.…”