Abstract
Abstract Decline in dry matter (DM) yield and quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.) after a killing frost has been reported, but information on the influence of frost on mineral concentration is lacking. The objective was to determine the influence of delaying harvest after frost on the concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and ratios of Ca/P and K/(Ca + Mg). A maize hybrid (Pioneer(r) 39NO3) was seeded under plastic mulch in late May of 2000, 2001, and 2002 at three locations. The crop was harvested five times at approximately 10-day intervals. Two of the harvest dates were before and three were after the occurrence of a killing frost. The crop reached the 50% kernel milk line at first frost and considered suitable for harvest as silage. Following frost, there was a decline in the levels of these nutrients contained in the harvested crop. The highest losses between frost and the last harvest date were observed for K, Ca, and Mg in which an average of 4.4, 2.7, and 1.8 g kg−1 were lost, respectively. Am...
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