Effect of Different Harvest Periods on Dry Matter Accumulation and Quality of Silage Maize

Abstract

: Harvest period is a key factor affecting the amount and quality of dry matter accumulation in silage maize. To clarify the dry matter accumulation characteristics and quality changes of silage maize in medium maturity areas of Inner Mongolia at different harvest periods, theoretical basis and practical guidance can be provided for determining the appropriate harvesting period of silage maize. In this study, we systematically analyzed the dynamic changes of plant height, leaf area index, dry and fresh weight accumulation and whole plant quality indicators of four maize varieties, Xianyuea 335, Lihe 1, Jinchuang 998 and Zhongxing silage 1, at six different harvest periods. The results showed that there was no significant effect of different harvest periods on silage maize plant height, while leaf area index, fresh weight, dry matter quality and nutritional quality had some differences between harvest periods. The quality of silage maize was excellent from 1/2 to 3/4 of the kernel milk line position, with dry matter quality ranging from 0.68% to 96.71% higher than other harvesting periods and RFV ranging from 15.46% to 49.83% higher than other harvest periods.