¬Study on Phenological, Qualitative and Quantitative Traits in Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.): Digestible Nutrients and Chemical Composition

Abstract

Abstract

The present study examined the effectiveness of maize fodder cultivated with three genotypes— V1 (AAIMS 1), V₂ (AAIMS 2), and V₃ (J1006) in fodder maize, obtained from complete randomized design in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, SHIATS, Allahabad, India. The data were recorded on eight characters to study the per se performance of fodder quality traits of maize fodder. Analysis of variance revealed that there was considerable variation available for most of the characters studied. The parameters studied were dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), total ash (TA), nitrogen-free extract (NFE), calcium and phosphorus in maize fodder. Parameter was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced at 25 and 40 days after sowing. The highest DM, CP, EE, CF, calcium, and phosphorus were observed in V₁ (AAIMS 1). The highest value of TA and NFE was observed in V₃ (J1006). Based on these results, AAIMS 1 was found to be the best for digestible nutrients and chemical composition followed by AAIMS 2 and J1006.

Keywords: Fodder, Maize, Digestible nutrient, Ash, Chemical composition