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IMPROVING CORN FORAGE QUALITY AND ANIMAL PERFORMANCE BY HYBRID SELECTION
Abstract
The improvement of corn (Zea mays L.) forage quality and animal performance by hybrid selection was studied by evaluating: (1) the relation of grain yield to forage quality, (2) the response of forage quality to maturity, and (3) hybrid and harvest date effects on stalklage quality and animal growth. Thirty hybrids differed (P $<$.05) in grain yield and stalk in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD). Year x hybrid effects (P $<$.05) existed for husk and cob IVDMD, with hybrid differences evident (P $<$.05) each year. Grain yield was correlated to stalk (r =.37) and cob IVDMD (r = $-.45).$ A design II mating of five male and five female lines did not detect genetic variance for forage quality or grain yield. Husk IVDMD and in vitro neutral detergent fiber disappearance (IVNDFD) was correlated to grain yield (r =.25). Three hybrids representing high IVDMD (Hi-Dig), high IVNDFD (Fib-Dig) and low IVDMD (Lo-Dig) of stalks, were grown under irrigated and dryland conditions. Forage quality declined (P $<$.05) from early September to late October. Stem IVDMD was greater (P $<$.05) for Hi-Dig than the Lo-Dig hybrid under irrigation, and hybrid x date effects (P $<$.05) were noted for leaf, husk and cob. The Fib-Dig hybrid had higher (P$<$.05) husk IVDMD than Hi-Dig under dryland conditions. The three hybrids grown under irrigation conditions were harvested as stalklage after high moisture (early) and dry (late) grain harvest. Stalklage IVDMD declined from early to late harvest for each hybrid. In a steer metabolism trial, stalklage dry matter intake and digestibilities were greater (P $<$.05) for Hi-Dig than Lo-Dig. Calf daily gain and feed intake were greater (P $<$.05) for Fib-Dig than Hi-Dig. In a second year, stalklage was harvested after dry grain harvest. Calf daily gain was greater (P $<$.05) for Hi-Dig than Fib-Dig and Lo-Dig, and 24% corn bran supplementation increased gain.16 kg for each hybrid.
Subject Area
Livestock
Recommended Citation
ROTH, LARRY D, "IMPROVING CORN FORAGE QUALITY AND ANIMAL PERFORMANCE BY HYBRID SELECTION" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8800009.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8800009