Abstract

JIMENEZ-LEYVA, Diego et al. Cutting age on chemical composition of silages from white corn hybrid asgrow 7573. Abanico vet [online]. 2016, vol.6, n.3, pp.13-23. ISSN 2448-6132.  https://doi.org/10.21929/abavet2016.63.1.

To determine the influence of cutting age on the chemical composition of white corn silage, 36 plots were planted (four rows; 8 m) with the white corn hybrid Asgrow-7573. In completely randomized block design, with four replications assigned to nine cutting ages: 103, 107, 111, 115, 119, 123, 127, 131, and 135 days from seeding date. Plants were cut 12 cm over ground, and chopped to 3 cm size; mini-silages (5 kg) were prepared in plastic bags, and the air was extracted. The silages were open after 45 days, and dry matter, ashes, crude protein NDF, ADF and pH were determined. Results were analyzed by ANOVA for a completely randomized block design and polynomial analyses were performed. The dry matter (from fresh forage and silage) as pH (P < 0.00001) when cutting age increased. Crude protein was higher (P < 0.05) during early cutting ages. NDF and ADF showed a quadratic response (P < 0.00001). It is concluded that cutting age from 123 to 127 days improves chemical composition of white corn silage.

Keywords : corn; dry matter; silage; cutting age; pH.