Indian Corn Research Articles

A rapid dispersal of maize from the Great Plains to northeastern North America

Northern Flint maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) is a distinct landrace that was common throughout early historical northeastern North America. It is likely represented archaeologically as Eastern 8-row maize, the dominant form there after 1200 CE. Genetic analyses indicate that Northern Flint is most likely derived from maize in the American Southwest. Evidence for maize in the form of phytoliths and starch recovered from directly radiocarbon dated cooking residues occurs in the Northeast by 290 BCE. Until recently there has been no substantiated evidence for maize of similar or older age in the Great Plains, through which maize is likely to have dispersed from the Southwest. A recent report of early microbotanical evidence for maize from the central Plains allows Bayesian modeling of radiocarbon dates to estimate the amount of time that elapsed before maize spread from the Plains to the Northeast. Results indicate only a short amount of time elapsed, from a few to less than 170 years.

PSXI-12 Effects of Flint corn with or without high concentration of amylase and particle size on in vitro fermentation parameters, gas production and methane emission

Abstract The objective of this trial was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, gas production and dry matter (DM) disappearance in vitro of two corn hybrids with two particle sizes. A 2 × 2 factorial design study was carried out to evaluate two types of Flint corn with or without high amylase concentration (Enogen flint or Tropical Flint, respectively), and two particle sizes (1.5 or 2.5 mm). Incubations were carried out for a total period of 24 h using the automatic gas pressure system (ANKOM, RF). The ruminal liquid was combined with buffer in a 1:4 ratio respectively and each bottle received 150 mL of this mixture plus 1.5 g of DM corn sample. At the end of the 24-h period, a gas sample was taken for methane analysis, a sample was taken for short chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis, and DM was performed on the final residue from the bottles to estimate the disappearance of DM. Data were analyzed using SAS Proc Mixed (9.4). There was no interaction effect between corn hybrid and particle size for the variables evaluated. Enogen Flint corn increased the proportion of propionate (30.7 vs. 28.1 mM/100 mM; P = 0.03) and reduced isovalerate (1.23 vs. 1.65 mM/100 mM; P = 0.01), and acetate:propionate ratio (1.85 vs. 2.11; P = 0.04), with no effect on the other fermentation variables evaluated. The particle size affected the pH of the fluid, with lower pH observed when using 1.5 mm particle size (6.64 vs. 6.70; P < 0.01). Regarding the disappearance of DM, Enogen Flint corn increased disappearance compared with Tropical Flint (80.8 vs. 77.5%; P < 0.01), and the 1.5 mm particle size also resulted in an increase in DM disappearance (81.9 vs. 76.4%; P < 0.01), with no interaction between the factors studied. (P = 0.80). Corn hybrids did not affect total gas production and methane production. However, the 1.5 mm particle size increased the total gas production (117.5 vs. 103.2 mL/24 h; P < 0.01), with no effect on methane production. In conclusion, Enogen technology optimizes the rumen fermentation process and increases corn dry matter degradability, and 1.5 mm particle size of the corn grain also increases degradability.

PSLBI-9 The growth performance and total tract starch digestibility of finishing Nelore bulls fed flint corn-based diets are improved by the corn processing method and urea source

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the flint corn processing method (CPM) and urea source for finishing Nellore bulls fed corn-based diets. In this study, 80 Nellore bulls [initial body weight (BW) = 388 ± 45.7 kg] were allocated into 28 pens (7 pens/treatment; 6 pens with 3 bulls + 1 pen with 2 bulls). A completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to test two CPMs: dry ground corn (DGC) and reconstituted and ensiled corn (REC), and two US: feed-grade urea (FGU) and post-ruminal release urea (PRU). Dietary inclusion (% DM) of flint corn (vitreousness = 86.0%) was 61.3% (DGC or REC), and urea source addition was 0.5% as non-protein nitrogen (NPN; as FGU or PRU). The PRU source (Trouw Nutrition, Netherlands) contained 82% urea on a DM basis. In an in vitro assay, 27% of this urea was released into the rumen. Experimental period lasted 100 d (with 14 d of adaptation). Fecal samples from each bull were collected in two periods of three consecutive days (d 44 to 46 and 94 to 96) at different time (0600, 1200, and 1800 h). Samples were composited by pen and analyzed for fecal starch (FS) and indigestible NDF as markers for fecal excretion. At the end of the experiment, bulls were slaughtered and the jejunum and pancreas were sampled from one bull per pen. Interaction effects were not found (P ≥ 0.31) for any feedlot growth performance variables (Table 1). Final BW, average daily gain, and feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F) were greater for bulls fed REC and PRU than for those fed DGC and FGU (P < 0.02), respectively. As a result, observed dietary net energy (NE) for maintenance and BW gain were about 7.0% and 9.0% greater for bulls fed REC diets, and 4.3% and 5.6% greater for bulls fed PRU diets, respectively. Bulls fed DGC had 2.2 times greater FS compared with bulls fed REC, resulting in lower fecal pH and total tract starch digestibility (TSD) for bulls fed DGC compared with those fed REC (P < 0.01). Interestingly, a similar trend was observed in bulls fed PRU compared with those fed diets with FGU (P < 0.06). Jejunal gene expression of SLC5A1 was not affected by treatments (P > 0.14). Nevertheless, bulls fed diets with PRU presented greater jejunal α-amylase activity (P = 0.02). Pancreatic α-amylase activity was less when bulls were fed DGC + PRU diet. In conclusion, REC markedly improved TSD and growth performance compared with DGC. Additionally, independent of CPM, PRU inclusion as NPN source increased G:F and dietary NE concentration due to the positive effects on jejunal amylase activity and TSD.

PSXI-14 Effects of diets with high and low inclusion of corn with or without high concentration of amylase on in vitro fermentative parameters and gas production

Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the effects of corn hybrids and the level of inclusion in the diet on in vitro fermentative parameters, DM disappearance, total gas and methane production. A 3 × 2 factorial design study was carried out to evaluate the Tropical Flint corn (TFC), Enogen Flint corn (EFC) and Enogen Dent corn (EDC), and the corn inclusion content in the diet (H: 71%; L: 42.5% of DM). The experiment was carried out using automatic gas pressure detection modules (ANKOM, RF). Rumen fluid was collected from two animals fitted with a rumen cannula and fed a diet containing 60% forage. The ruminal liquid was combined with buffer in a 1:4 ratio respectively and each bottle received 150 mL of this mixture plus 1.5 g of DM corn sample. Gas production was evaluated at the end of 24 h of incubation and a gas sample was taken for methane analysis. Furthermore, the pH of the liquid was measured at the end of 24 h and a sample was obtained for analysis of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), ammonia concentration and the final residue was used to determine de DM disappearance. The data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS (9.4). There was an interaction between corn hybrid and inclusion level for the variable total SCFA (H-TFC: 70.5; H-EFC: 41.5; H-EDC: 40.7; L-TFC: 43.7; L-EFC: 38.8; L-EDC: 39.7 mM; P = 0.02) and proportion of butyrate (H-TFC: 9.25; H-EFC: 5.53; H-EDC: 6.01; L-TFC: 5.80; L-EFC: 5.41; L-EDC: 5.99 mM/100mM; P = 0.02), with greater values observed for the inclusion of TFC in relation to the other treatments. The inclusion of Enogen corn (Flint or Dent) increased propionate (TFC: 32.1; EFC: 36.3; EDC: 36.7 mM/100mM; P < 0.01) and reduced acetate (TFC: 56.7; EFC: 55.1; EDC: 54.8 mM/100mM; P = 0.02) and the acetate:propionate ratio (TFC: 1.83; EFC: 1.56; EDC: 1.53; P < 0.01). On the other hand, greater inclusion of corn in the diet increased propionate (H: 36.8; L: 33.3 mM/100mM; P < 0.01) and reduced acetate (H: 53.5; L: 57.6 mM/100mM; P < 0.01), acetate:propionate ratio (H: 1.50; L: 1.77; P < 0.01), and fluid pH (H: 6.39; L: 6.46; P < 0.01). Corn hybrids with Enogen technology increased the DM disappearance (TFC: 70.5; EFC: 73.3; EDC: 74.3%; P < 0.01), without affecting the production of gases and methane. Furthermore, greater inclusion of corn in the diet increased the DM disappearance (H: 74.1; L: 71.2%; P < 0.01) and gas production (H: 193.8; L: 160.5 mg/24 h; P < 0.01), without effect on methane production. Enogen technology and increasing corn in the diet improve fermentation and increase degradation of dry matter; however, methane production increases with greater corn inclusion in the diet.

PSXIII-24 Inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles in feedlot diets containing flint corn and citrus pulp: Metabolism and performance of finishing Nellore bulls

PSXIII-24 Inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles in feedlot diets containing flint corn and citrus pulp: Metabolism and performance of finishing Nellore bulls

PSXIII-28 Effects of replacing dry-rolled flint corn with reconstituted corn grain silage in supplements for beef cattle finished on pasture provided on different days after mixing

PSXIII-28 Effects of replacing dry-rolled flint corn with reconstituted corn grain silage in supplements for beef cattle finished on pasture provided on different days after mixing

Comparison of Indian corn with The US and South American commodity corn for wet milling starch yields

Higher starch extractability is critical for improving the profitability of a corn wet milling process. The starch extractability of Indian corn was compared to the corn grown in the USA, Brazil, and Argentina. Two corn crops (rainy and winter season) are produced every year in India. The endosperm hardness of Indian samples was similar to South American corn and higher than the US corn. Extractable starch yields of Indian corn samples were 2–3 % lower than the average starch yield of US commodity corn, however, was comparable with Brazilian, and Argentinian. No significant difference in starch yields between two crop years was observed. However, starch yield from the rainy (Kharif) season was lower compared to the winter (Rabi) season. Like South American corn, Indian corn contains a hard endosperm and resulted in a lower starch yield than the soft endosperm US corn. This information is useful for corn wet milling plants that buy commodity corn from various geographic locations around the world.

Radio frequency regulates the multi‐scale structure and functional properties of starch from different genotypes of corn

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate the multi‐scale structures, thermal, pasting, and textural properties of starch from different genotypes (dent and flint) of corn with varying moisture content (MC) (0.20, 0.25, and 0.30 kg kg−1 in dry basis) following radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. As the MC increased, the amylose content in dent and flint corn starch rose from 14.60% to 19.70% and 14.80% to 24.63%, respectively, after the hot air (HA)‐RF treatment. With the increase in MC, the enhancement of starch–protein interaction and the change in starch molecule structure caused decreases in the crystallinity, short–range order structure, and enthalpy, while there were increases in the gelatinisation temperature, pasting viscosity, and textural properties of starch. The results showed that the RF treatment is an effective method for improving the processing performance of starch. Our data provide a foundation to expand the application of radio frequency in the food industry.

Effect of protein from endosperm on the structure and gelatinization behavior of corn starch under radio frequency treatment

Thermal treatments affect the interactions between protein and starch that play an important role in the structure and properties of starch–based foods. This study investigated the effects of protein from endosperm on the structure and gelatinization behavior of corn starch under hot air (HA) assisted radio frequency (RF) treatment. As the temperature increased to 70 °C, the amylose content in dent and flint corn starch increased from 10.76% to 20.65% and 10.80% to 22.43%, respectively. Protein from endosperm increased the crystallinity, short–range ordered structure, and gelatinization temperatures, while inhibited the swelling and reduced the water solubility of starch. Meanwhile, protein hindered the formation of a dense network gel structure, which decreased the rheological properties and apparent viscosity of starch gels. The finding will enrich the theory knowledge of effects of HA-RF treatment on the starch–protein interaction, and have important implications for the development of carbohydrate–restricted diets and desirable function foods.

Maize landrace and post-harvest traits are reflected in the volatile profile and nutritional composition of Italian maize porridge (Polenta): A preliminary study

Maize porridge, known as "polenta" in Italy, is a global staple food. This study aims to characterize the quality of four Italian flint maize landraces by investigating physical properties and macronutrients composition. By using SPME GC–MS and PTR-ToF-MS we analyzed the flours volatilome and changes in aroma profile post- cooking. Cooking induced the formation of 5 compounds and the loss of up to 25 compounds, primarily through evaporation. Post-cooking, the concentrations of some sulphur compounds (methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl trisulfide), lipid oxidation compounds (2-pentylfuran and hexanal) and Maillard reaction compounds including some aldehydes (nonanal, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldheyde), pyridine and furans (furfural and furfuryl alcohol) increased. Differences in volatilome and macronutrients contents among landraces were also observed with Marano samples having on average a significantly higher concentration of proteins (13.67 %), while the Nostrano samples had the highest fat content (5.00 %). Fatty acid profile differences were mirrored in the volatilome. Spin flours had the highest level of linoleic acid, leading to elevated levels in cooked polenta due to linoleic acid oxidation. The differences in volatilome and macronutrients contents among the samples confirmed that local landraces are not only important for biodiversity and cultural heritage but also lead to unique aroma compounds profiles.

Partial replacement of soybean meal by other protein sources on nutritional characteristics of beef cattle fed a whole corn grain diet

Diets composed of whole flint corn grain (WCG) without any roughage source are often used in South American countries. The primary source of protein in theses diets is soybean meal. We hypothesized that the combination of different protein sources improves ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility. This study was carried out to assess the impacts of replacing 50% of the soybean meal by other protein sources on voluntary dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, efficiency of N utilization, efficiency of grain use, metabolic characteristics, and ingestive behavior of Nellore cattle fed WCG diets. Five rumen-cannulated Nellore Bulls (average BW = 651.6 ± 31.83 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design, randomly assigned to five diets consisting of 85% of WCG and 15% of pellet supplement with combination of different protein sources: SM - pellet supplement with soybean meal only; CM - soybean meal and cottonseed meal; SFM - soybean meal and sunflower meal; DDG - soybean meal and DDG; DDGS - soybean meal and DDGS. The replacement of 50% of soybean meal by DDG increased (P<0.05) DMI and organic matter intake (OMI), both DMI and OMI were lower with CM. Digestibility, ruminal pH (mean = 5.7), efficiency of N utilization, and diurnal ingestive behavior were not affected (P>0.05) by protein sources. Protein sources also did not affect the grain-use efficiency (P>0.05), with an average value of 96.6% and only 3.4% of the corn grains recovered in the feces. The concentration of GGT enzyme was greatest (P<0.05) for CM and DDGS. The inclusion of DDG increased the DMI but did not improve the nutrients’ digestibility or N metabolism. The results suggest that 50% of the [1]soybean meal can be replaced by sunflower meal, DDG, and DDGS without affecting the nutritional and metabolic parameters of Nellore cattle fed whole flint corn grain diets, providing opportunities for reducing costs in feedlot systems.

Doubled Haploid Lines Derived from a European Maize Flint Landrace Contrast in Recovery from Cold Stress

Suboptimal temperatures at sowing and emergence affect the early development of maize, with potentially irreversible effects later in the growing season. We studied recovery from cold stress of an inbred line (B73) and 13 Doubled Haploid lines derived from a European flint maize landrace. After a cold treatment (20–12 °C, day–night) from sowing to seedling establishment, seedlings were transplanted and grown in the greenhouse until the V8 stage (eight leaves fully developed), when we measured agronomically relevant plant traits and spectral indices of mature leaves. Survival rates of transplanted seedlings after cold treatment ranged from 10% to 100%. After a strong delay in early development due to cold, the surviving plants were able to compensate for this delay at later stages of recovery. They reached the V8 stage after only five more growing degree days than plants grown under the control treatment (25–18 °C, day–night). Plants from the most cold-tolerant genotypes (PE0401 and PE0100) accumulated more root and shoot biomass at the end of the recovery phase compared with the same genotypes exposed to the control treatment. The genotypes with the most plastic leaf morphological traits (PE0161 and PE0072) had little reduction in leaf biomass at the end of the recovery phase in comparison with less responsive genotypes such as PE0171. We conclude that genotypes that survived cold treatment with minimal cold damage of seedling leaves can be candidates for further cold recovery studies and breeding. Nevertheless, such studies must take trait acclimation for other suboptimal conditions into consideration.

Assessing the potential of genetic resource introduction into elite germplasm: a collaborative multiparental population for flint maize

Key messageImplementing a collaborative pre-breeding multi-parental population efficiently identifies promising donor x elite pairs to enrich the flint maize elite germplasm.Genetic diversity is crucial for maintaining genetic gains and ensuring breeding programs’ long-term success. In a closed breeding program, selection inevitably leads to a loss of genetic diversity. While managing diversity can delay this loss, introducing external sources of diversity is necessary to bring back favorable genetic variation. Genetic resources exhibit greater diversity than elite materials, but their lower performance levels hinder their use. This is the case for European flint maize, for which elite germplasm has incorporated only a limited portion of the diversity available in landraces. To enrich the diversity of this elite genetic pool, we established an original cooperative maize bridging population that involves crosses between private elite materials and diversity donors to create improved genotypes that will facilitate the incorporation of original favorable variations. Twenty donor × elite BC1S2 families were created and phenotyped for hybrid value for yield related traits. Crosses showed contrasted means and variances and therefore contrasted potential in terms of selection as measured by their usefulness criterion (UC). Average expected mean performance gain over the initial elite material was 5%. The most promising donor for each elite line was identified. Results also suggest that one more generation, i.e., 3 in total, of crossing to the elite is required to fully exploit the potential of a donor. Altogether, our results support the usefulness of incorporating genetic resources into elite flint maize. They call for further effort to create fixed diversity donors and identify those most suitable for each elite program.

Концепция обмолота кукурузы роторным молотильно-сепарирующим устройством с воздушной завесой выгрузного окна

To increase the efficiency of harvesting corn for grain, some improvement is necessary in the design of the rotary threshing-and-separating unit, which has a massive rotor and an increased length of the path of active separation of grain mass during threshing. Reducing the size of rotary threshing units is possible by stopping the free grain flow into the discharge port at the output of the threshing chamber. This can be achieved by using an air curtain of the discharge port. At the same time, the free grain flow will be within regulated rates with a reduced rotor length and, accordingly, a shortened path length of the active separation of the grain mass. The stopping effect on the free-flowing grain in the discharge port should ensure its movement to the lower part of the threshing zone, where it is advisable to install a vibrating section of the deck that intensifies separation. Controlling the air curtain operation requires determining the shape of the grain profile common to the main botanical groups of corn and its effective area of contact with the air flow. The authors constructed the approximation of frontal and profile projections of dent and flint corn grains, taken from the lump, middle and toe of the cob, in the Compas‑3D environment. The values of generalized coefficients in polynomials determining the averaged geometry for the corn grain profile and the effective area of grain contact with the air flow were established. At the same time, the average value of the effective area of contact with the air flow is within 76 to 82 mm2 . The obtained coefficient values are necessary to calculate the parameters of the air curtain of the discharge port of a rotary threshing and separating unit for corn with a rotor length reduced by 10 to 15%. The authors propose to test an improved rotary threshing and separating unit in conditions of threshing corn cobs with a moisture content of more than 14% and without previous husk removing

Эффективность биопрепаратов при выращивании сахарной кукурузы

In our country, vegetable sweet corn is grown mainly in the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories and the Rostov region; it is also cultivated in the Black Earth Region and in more northern regions, but in smaller volumes. Sweet corn is a relatively young subspecies that arose as a mutant between dentifrice and flint corn. Due to its biochemical characteristics, it is a very susceptible crop and is more damaged by pests and diseases compared to the usual one. A further increase in corn grain production is unthinkable without the widespread and comprehensive use of the latest scientific achievements, where the leading role undoubtedly belongs to new varieties and cultivation technologies. In the climatic conditions of the Rostov region, the biological characteristics of 4 hybrids of vegetable corn were studied: Early Golden F1, Sweet Nugget F1, Caramello F1 and Noa F1 and resource-saving technologies with the basics of biologization and greening of agriculture. Research has established that, on average, over the years of research, a high yield of cobs was obtained by the hybrids Caramello F1 - 14.42 t/ha and Noa F1 - 15.53 t/ha. Treatment of vegetative vegetable corn plants with biological preparations Albit and Rauactiv provided a significant increase in the yield of all studied hybrids. Keywords: HYBRID, ADAPTATION, YIELD, LEAF AREA, SEED GERMINATION, COB KERNEL CONTENT

Mechanical properties of corn: Correlation with endosperm hardness

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different factors on the compressive mechanical properties of corn kernels. Explore the relationship between endosperm hardness and compressive mechanical properties of corn kernels by polynomial regression analysis. The results showed that the variety and kernel orientation had a significant effect on the compressive mechanical properties of corn kernels. Flint corn had a stronger ability to resist damage than floury corn. As the loading rate increased from 5 to 25 mm/min, the rupture force and rupture energy of corn kernels changed accordingly. The hardness of horny endosperm was significantly higher than that of floury endosperm. The dense starch‐protein network structure of horny endosperm leads to higher hardness. According to the fitting results, the compressive mechanical properties of corn kernels could be predicted using the hardness of the horny endosperm within a certain range.Practical applicationsAs a widely planted food crop in the world, corn is not only an important food crop, but also a high‐quality feed for livestock and poultry. The compressive mechanical properties (elastic modulus, compressive failure force, failure energy, etc.) of corn kernels were explored, and the relationship between endosperm hardness and its mechanical properties was analyzed. It can provide technical parameters for mechanical processing equipment, reduce the loss of corn grain in the processing process, and improve its economic value.

Ewes fed high-concentrate diets containing flint corn and increasing levels of exogenous amylolytic enzyme: effects on nutrient intake and digestibility

The aim was to evaluate if the inclusion of exogenous amylolytic enzyme affect the nutrient intake and digestibility in ewes fed high-concentrate diets containing flint corn. Five Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred ewes (54.04 ± 4.5 kg and aged 8 months) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. All animals were housed in individual metabolic cages for 60 days. The treatments consisted of a control diet (without amylolytic enzyme) and four inclusion levels of an amylolytic enzyme (3,000, 6,000, 9,000, and 12,000 α-amylase dextrinizing units [DU] kg-1 dry matter [DM]). The enzyme was mixed into the feed at the time of supply to the animals. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used. Nutrient intake was not influenced by amylolytic enzyme inclusion. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and gross energy showed a quadratic increase with enzyme inclusion (P<0.05), with maximum values at levels of 7,600, 7,500, 6,300, 7,500, 7,400, and 7,800 DU kg-1 DM, respectively. Total digestible nutrients of diets also showed a quadratic increase, with a maximum value of 894 g kg-1 at a level of α-amylase activity of 7,786 DU kg-1 DM. The inclusion of the exogenous amylolytic enzyme from 6,300 to 7,800 DU kg-1 DM doesn’t alter nutrient intake and improves the digestibility in ewes fed high-concentrate diets.

Feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, growth performance, and carcass traits of lambs fed corn silage treated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri and stored for different times

Our objective was to investigate the impact of inoculation and storage length of flint corn silage on the metabolic and production responses of lambs. A flint corn hybrid was harvested with 315 g dry matter (DM)/kg and ensiled in concrete pipe silos without (control) or with Lentilactobacillus buchneri CNCM I-4323 at 1 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage for 120, 240 and 360 d (n = 2 for each treatment). Such silages were used to formulate six different diets. Sixty non-castrated male Dorper × Santa Inês lambs were used in the feeding program (n = 10). Additionally, eight ruminally cannulated Dorper × Santa Inês crossbred lambs were used to measure the ruminal fermentation (n = 4). Extending the storage of corn silage from 120 to 360 d increased the contents of soluble protein (P = 0.030; 415–490 g/kg CP) and ammonia-N (P = 0.047; 82.5–114 g/kg total N). Compared to the control, inoculation resulted in higher (P < 0.05) concentration of lactic (+19.9 %) and acetic acid (+38.6 %), and lower butyric acid (–25.3 %), ammonia-N (–23.5 %), and DM loss (–36.2 %). The aerobic stability of corn silage was also improved by inoculation (P = 0.002; +160 h compared to the control). An interaction between storage length and inoculation was reported for feed intake, and lambs had increased DMI (P < 0.001) by feeding the inoculated silage stored for 120 d. Overall, the total-tract starch digestibility increased (P = 0.041) with longer storage (120 d = 94.4 %; 240 d = 95.7 %; 360 d = 96.5 %). However, the total VFA was unchanged (P > 0.05) while the ruminal molar proportion of propionate decreased from 22.8 to 20.7 mM/100 mM in lambs fed corn silage stored for 120 and 360 d (P = 0.004). Lengthening silage storage from 120 to 240 and 360 d tended (P = 0.06) to increase the ADG of lambs by 4.6 % and 10.2 %, respectively (120 d = 0.216 kg/d; 240 d = 0.226 kg/d; 360 d = 0.238 kg/d). Moreover, the feed efficiency was substantially improved (P = 0.008) by 5 % and 14 % when the silages were stored for 240 and 360 d compared to 120 d. In opposite, inoculation had no effect (P > 0.05) on ADG and feed efficiency of lambs. Final hot carcass weight (data ranged from 16.8 to 17.2 kg) and 12th rib longissimus muscle area (data ranged from 13.8 to 14.7 cm2) were not affected by treatments (P > 0.05). Overall, only few parameters of carcass and meat traits of lambs were altered by storage length and inoculation, but it were of minor biological importance. In conclusion, the productivity responses of lambs were enhanced by increasing the storage length of flint corn silage, but inoculation with L. buchneri did not contribute to improve animal performance.

Whole-plant flint corn silage inclusion in total mixed rations for pre- and postweaning dairy calves

Assuming that acetic acid plays a minor role in the development of ruminal epithelium of preweaning dairy calves, the fiber supply for growing calves has been neglected. More research has been done on including starch and nonfibrous carbohydrates in solid feed for preweaning calves. Accordingly, the fiber requirement of these calves is not well known, as diet recommendations vary greatly. Hence, elucidating the effects of including fiber from long particle sizes in the diet may be essential for helping calves overcome the transition challenge during weaning. Forty-five Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date, and weight at 28 d of age, when the supply of the total mixed ration (TMR) with the inclusion of corn silage started. Three TMR with increasing whole-plant flint corn silage content (0, 10, or 20% on a dry matter basis) were compared: 0CS, 10CS, or 20CS, respectively. During the first 28 d of life, the calves were managed homogeneously and were fed 6 L/d of whole milk, a commercial calf starter pelleted, and water ad libitum. Next, the solid diet was changed to the respective solid feed treatment. Calves were gradually weaned from 52 to 56 d of age but were evaluated for an additional 14 d postweaning. Feed intake was measured daily, while body weight and metabolic indicators of intermediate metabolism were evaluated weekly. Ruminal fluid was collected at 6, 8, and 10 wk of age. Behavioral analysis was conducted on wk 7 (preweaning) and 10 (postweaning). There was a quadratic effect for dry matter intake from wk 7 to 10, with higher intake for the 10CS diet than the 0CS and 20CS diets. Consequently, the 10CS diet also promoted greater average daily gain at wk 8 and 9 compared with the 0CS and 20CS diets. However, the final body weight was not affected by the different solid diets. Silage inclusion in calves' diet positively affected time spent ruminating and chewing pre- and postweaning. Including 10% of whole-plant flint corn silage in the diets of young dairy calves is a strategy to increase total solid intake and decrease acidosis risk by increasing pH and ruminating activity around weaning.

Technological and Sensory Quality of Gluten-Free Pasta Made from Flint Maize Cultivars.

The development of quality gluten-free products presents a major technological challenge in terms of structure, texture, and shelf life. However, there is insufficient information available to identify genotypes for obtaining gluten-free maize pasta of good acceptability and technological quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the technological and sensory quality of gluten-free pasta made from different maize cultivars. The flint open-pollinated variety, flint inbred line, and three dent commercial hybrids were used. Grain and flour's physical characteristics and chemical composition were determined. Gluten-free pasta was made via extrusion, and its quality traits were studied. A sensory evaluation test was carried out. Flint cultivars showed the lowest values on swelling index (both 1.77) and water absorption (124.30 and 134.58%). Pasta swelling index showed a negative association r = -0.77 to sodium carbonate retention capacity (p = 8.5 × 10-5) and water retention capacity (p = 6.6 × 10-5). Evaluators' preference results showed a higher frequency of choices at the top level of preference (4) for the flint open-pollinated variety C6006. Thus, evaluators' choices showed a positive association between sample preference and firmness. Pasta preference and technological quality have a direct relationship with fast tests over grain, such as test weight and float index.