The role of maize harvest timing for high-quality silage production | Kukurūzas novākšanas laika nozīme augstas kvalitātes skābbarības ražošanai
2010
Gaile, Z., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Agriculture. Inst. of Agrobiotechnology
Harvest timing of maize (Zea mays L.) is critically important for production of optimum quality silage. The aim of our investigation, arranged in the Research and Study farm ''Vecauce'' of the Latvia University of Agriculture (2005 to 2008), was to analyze changes in maize yield and its quality during September, and to define more accurately the harvest timing of maize grown for silage production. Four maize hybrids with different maturity rating, as defined by FAO number (Earlystar (FAO 160), RM-20 (FAO 180), Tango (standard, FAO 210), and Cefran (FAO 340)), were harvested on four different dates beginning on September 1 at ten-day intervals. A strong harvest time effect on maize dry matter (DM) yield was observed (p is less than 0.05) – it increased by ~1 t haE-1 during every ten-day period. However, in some years (2005), maize yield increase could be stopped by fall frosts. Maize quality parameters such as DM content, corn-cob yield proportion in the total whole plant DM yield, and net energy for lactation, increased, but other parameters such as neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and crude protein content, decreased with the maturity of maize during September. Harvest of maize late after the fall frosts deteriorated the quality of maize. The research suggests that the main criterion for selecting proper maize harvest timing should be the DM content of maize yield. Harvest timing of maize for silage in the central and western part of Latvia mainly should be delayed up to the third ten-day period of September thus improving both yield and its quality. At this time, in years with optimal growing conditions, DM content of even ≥280 g kgE-1 can be obtained.
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