Stage of maturity and effect of urea on production of good quality corn silage
1999
Chantana Nuamnuan(Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Animal Science) | Somkid Promma(Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok (Thailand). Animal Husbandry Division. Chiang Mai Livestock Research and Breeding Center) | Boonlom Cheva-Isarakul(Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Animal Science) | Boonserm Cheva-Isarakul(Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Animal Science)
Study was conducted to investigate the proper stage of harvesting and the supplement effect of urea on th equality of corn silage. Whole corn plant was cut while starch was at 25, 50 and 75 percent of the seed. It was chopped into 1-2 cm length and mixed without or with 1 percent urea of fresh corn weight. There were 6 treatment combinations in 3*2 factorial design with 4 replicates. The material was ensiled in 50*87 cm plastic bags each containing 10 kg silage. After 45 days of ensiling, they were evaluated by organoleptic test and chemical analysis. Organic acids (acetic, butyric and lactic acid) were determined by distillation. It was found that corn with advance age had higher DM content but lower CP, ADF and NDF due to the higher proportion of seed kernel. Even though every cutting stage gave good quality silage but that at 75 percent starch had lower score, higher dry matter loss, high pH and lower density (P LT 0.05). The supplement of urea give better quality silage due to the higher pH and lactic acid content as well as the lower dry matter loss. However urea should not supplement to 75 percent starch corn. The recommended cutting stage is at 25-50 percent starch.
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