J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1963. 22:5-8.
© 1963 American Society of Animal Science
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Composition and Digestibility of Corn Silage as Affected by Fertilizer Rate and Plant Population1

R. A. Alexander2, J. F. Hentges, Jr., W. K. Robertson, G. A. Barden3 and J. T. McCall4

Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville,5

Abstract

Data are presented on the relative digestibility and proximate composition of corn silage as affected by two fertilizer rates, 56-48-48 and 112-96-96 pounds N-P-K/acre and two plant populations, 6,750 and 13,500 plants per acre. Four steers and four wethers were used in two conventional total collection digestion trials of a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Increasing the plant population increased forage yields but decreased percent nutrient content and digestibility. Within each plant population, an increase in fertilizer rate increased protein content, showed little effect on crude fiber, ether extract or energy and decreased NFE and ash.

In the highest plant population and lowest fertilizer rate, protein digestibility was significantly lower than in other treatment combinations. Significant increases were noted in digestibility of protein, energy, and ether extract in the high fertilizer 112-96-96 treatments.

Increasing the fertilization rate from 56-48-48 to 112-96-96 at both plant populations increased digestible protein, digestible energy and TDN by 65%, 39% and 36% respectively. Increasing plant population from 6,750 to 13,500 increased digestible energy, TDN and crude protein by 40% 42% and 27% but only increased digestible protein by 3%.

A regression equation is presented to facilitate the estimation of digestible protein in corn silage dry matter.

All treatments of corn forage contained less than 0.015% potassium nitrate.

Footnotes

1 Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 1271.

2 Present address: Middle Tennessee State College, Murfreesboro.

3 Present address: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

4 Present address: Department of Animal Husbandry, Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa.

5 Department of Animal Science.






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