Publication Date
1997
Description
This study compared the yield potential and inherent nutritive value and quality of tropical corn (Zea mays L.) with temperate corn and two forage sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for use in multiple cropping systems. Tropical corn showed high dry matter yield potential (19.3 Mg ha-1) compared with a selected temperate corn (14.7 Mg ha-1) or with an intermediate (8.5 Mg ha-1) or taller growing forage-type sorghum (10.3 Mg ha-1). Neutral detergent fiber concentration (g kg-1) was lower for temperate corn (330) than for tropical (548) corn which had a concentration similar to the intermediate (497) and forage-type sorghums (543). Dry matter intake was similar among silages (1.83 kg+100 kg-1 body weight) but apparent dry matter digestion was higher (P = 0.01) for temperate corn (64.0%) vs. tropical corn (59.8%). Tropical corn had similar digestion values to intermediate sorghum silage (61.4%) but lower than forage sorghum (64.5%).
Citation
Burns, J C. and Fisher, D S., "Tropical Corn for Silage in Multiple Cropping Systems" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session19/5
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Tropical Corn for Silage in Multiple Cropping Systems
This study compared the yield potential and inherent nutritive value and quality of tropical corn (Zea mays L.) with temperate corn and two forage sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for use in multiple cropping systems. Tropical corn showed high dry matter yield potential (19.3 Mg ha-1) compared with a selected temperate corn (14.7 Mg ha-1) or with an intermediate (8.5 Mg ha-1) or taller growing forage-type sorghum (10.3 Mg ha-1). Neutral detergent fiber concentration (g kg-1) was lower for temperate corn (330) than for tropical (548) corn which had a concentration similar to the intermediate (497) and forage-type sorghums (543). Dry matter intake was similar among silages (1.83 kg+100 kg-1 body weight) but apparent dry matter digestion was higher (P = 0.01) for temperate corn (64.0%) vs. tropical corn (59.8%). Tropical corn had similar digestion values to intermediate sorghum silage (61.4%) but lower than forage sorghum (64.5%).
