Forage yield, nutritive value, and aerobic stability of maize silages under warm subhumid conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a13n3.5069Keywords:
Ruminant feeding, aerobic deterioration, forage conservation, Zea mays LAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate forage yield, chemical composition, nutritive value, and aerobic stability of silages from six maize hybrids under warm subhumid conditions. Hybrids H-443A, DK-357, DK-6018, NA975, NB722, and NB950 were evaluated under irrigation. Total green matter yield (TGM), total dry matter yield (TDM), crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and aerobic exposure dynamics during 64 h were determined. Hybrid NB722 showed the highest TGM and TDM yields (35.1 and 10.3 t ha-1, respectively) but exhibited low aerobic stability (temperature >6 °C and pH of 5.0 at 24 h). Hybrid NA975 presented higher CP content (105 g kg-1). DK-357, DK-6018, NA975 and NB950 presented the highest IVDMD values, between 684 and 696 g kg-1. The selection of maize hybrids for silage should integrate yield, quality, and aerobic stability; NA975 and DK-357 showed the best balance, NB722 excelled in production, and DK-6018 in its conservation.
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