Publication Date

1997

Description

This trial was carried out to determine the influence of genotype and maturity stage on ruminal starch degradation of corn harvested at silage maturity. Two types of corn (Zea mays L.), differing in their endosperm texture, flint or dent, were harvested at 30 and 35 % whole plant DM. The degradation rate in the rumen of grains (oven dried at 40°C and ground through a 3-mm screen) was determined by the in situ technique. Mean ruminal starch degradability was 69 %. With maturity, the content of grain in the whole plant increased and ruminal starch degradability decreased (15 points). Starch of dent corn was always more degradable than starch of flint corn (22 points). Particulate starch losses through the bag pores were low and they varied little. Harvested at silage maturity, ruminal starch degradation of corn grain varied widely.

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Genetic Variability of Ruminal Starch Degradation of Corn Harvested at Two Silage Maturities

This trial was carried out to determine the influence of genotype and maturity stage on ruminal starch degradation of corn harvested at silage maturity. Two types of corn (Zea mays L.), differing in their endosperm texture, flint or dent, were harvested at 30 and 35 % whole plant DM. The degradation rate in the rumen of grains (oven dried at 40°C and ground through a 3-mm screen) was determined by the in situ technique. Mean ruminal starch degradability was 69 %. With maturity, the content of grain in the whole plant increased and ruminal starch degradability decreased (15 points). Starch of dent corn was always more degradable than starch of flint corn (22 points). Particulate starch losses through the bag pores were low and they varied little. Harvested at silage maturity, ruminal starch degradation of corn grain varied widely.