Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of 12 maize hybrids (Goldeclat, Falkner, Maverik, Tivak 6661, Tivak 678, Bora, Consur, DK 626, Ada 9510, Pioneer 3167, TTM 815, and LG 55) on the nutrient composition (that is, dry matter - DM, crude ash - CA, organic matter - OM, crude protein - CP, ether extract - EE, crude fiber - CF), pH, Fleig point (FP) values, and the mineral contents of maize silages. The maize hybrids were harvested at the milk-line maturity stage and ensiled as whole plant in 5-L plastic jars without additives. The jars were stored at 25 ± 2°C under standard laboratory conditions. the silages were uncovered and sampled for chemical analyses 60 days after they were ensilaged. There were statistically significant differences among maize hybrid silages for DM, CA, OM, CP, EE, CF contents, pH, and FP values (P<0.05). The DM content of silages were ranged from 25.67% in LG 55 to 32.41% in Falkner; CP (4.07% in Bora and LG 55 to 6.91% in Tivak 678); CA (4.64% in Maverik to 7.94% in LG 55); OM (17.07%in LG 55 to 27.64% in Falkner); EE (2.68% in DK 626 to 4.40% in Tivak 678); CF (17.96% in Pioneer 3167 to 27.28% in TTM 815); pH value (3.76 in TTM 815 to 4.05 in Pioneer 3167); FP (95.68 in LG 55 to 112.64 in Consur). The result of the study indicated that fermentation characteristics and nutrient contents were affected by the hybrids that were studied. However, there were no significant differences among dry matter mineral contents for As, B, Cr, Fe, Sn, Cu, Mn, and Zn (P>0.05); but there were significant differences among hybrids for Al (P<0.05).

Key words: Maize, nutrient, quality criteria, roughage, silage mineral content.