&lt;b&gt;Bromatological characteristics and ruminal digestibility of grain corn hybrids with different vitreousness in silage maturity

Mikael Neumann,André Gabriel,Evandrei Santos Rossi,Marcos Ventura Faria,Murilo Viotto Del Conte,Marcelo Cruz Mendes

doi:10.4025/actasciagron.v38i3.28703

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate vitreousness in commercial corn hybrids with flint and dent grains and to study the effect of this characteristic on agronomic behavior, nutritional value, and ruminal degradability of grains harvested in silage maturity. Twelve commercial corn hybrids were evaluated. They were divided in two groups (six with flint grains and six with dent grains). The experiments were conducted in two municipalities represented by Guarapuava and Laranjeiras do Sul, both in Parana State. The harvest for the grain quality analysis was performed at ¾ of the milk line stage in the grain. The following characteristics were evaluated: grain yield, grain yield in silage maturity, vitreousness, ruminal digestibility of grain, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and crude protein. The grains in the group of dent hybrids exhibited better degradability associated with lower vitreousness than the group of flint hybrids. The group of dent hybrids exhibited better ruminal digestibility of the grains associated with lower vitreousness versus the group of flint hybrids. There is a negative correlation between vitreousness and the digestibility of the grain; thus, vitreousness can be a criterion for selecting genotypes for forage production.

Highlights

One of the most important sources of energy for animal feed is the corn harvested for silage or grain because the grains have on average 65 - 70% of starch (Zsubori, Pinter, Spitko, Hegyi, & Marton, 2013) and represent more than 40% of the dry mass produced per area Mendes, Gabriel, Faria, Rossi, & Júnior, 2015
The aforementioned studies show that the quality of maize grain for animal feed is greatly related to the grain texture and can markedly influence the available energy use
The negative estimates associated with the statistical significance indicate the superiority of the dent hybrids, while positive estimates indicate superiority of the flint hybrids (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

One of the most important sources of energy for animal feed is the corn harvested for silage or grain because the grains have on average 65 - 70% of starch (Zsubori, Pinter, Spitko, Hegyi, & Marton, 2013) and represent more than 40% of the dry mass produced per area Mendes, Gabriel, Faria, Rossi, & Júnior, 2015. Agronomy components (Mendes et al, 2015). This can certainly affect the quantity and quality of grain. Few studies have investigated vitreousness and the bromatological qualities of corn grain for silage in more than one environment. For whole plant silage or grain production, important studies have shown that the type of endosperm in the grain assumes an important role in the quality and in the final use of the food

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Conclusion