Kernel Milkline Stage and Corn Forage Yield, Quality, and Dry Matter Content

Abstract

Determining the proper time to harvest corn (Zea mays L.) for whole plant silage is difficult for growers. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between kernel milkline position and whole plant yield, quality, and dry matter (DM) content. Our goal was to develop a means to predict the optimum stage for harvesting corn for silage. Four early maturity (85 d) hybrids were evaluated bor yield, forage quality, and DM content at five stages of kernel maturity, including: soft dough (SD) (dents first visible); early dent (ED) (dents visible on 95% of kernels); 1/2 milkline (1/2 ML) (milkline positioned halfway between the tip and base of the kernel); 3/4 milkline (3/4 ML) (milkline positioned 3/4 of the way from tip to base); and no milkline (No ML) (milkline no longer present in kernel) over 3 yr (1988-1990) in north central Wisconsin []