Die chemiese samestelling en in vitro verteerbaarheid van die ryp mielieplant en komponente (Kort mededeling)

Author: H.M.I. Schoonraad, S.J. Schoeman, T.M. Laas & B.H. Beukes
Year: 1987
Issue: 2
Volume: 17
Page: 118 - 120

A representative sample of mature dry maize plants from a 3-ha stand were separated into the components grain, leaf, stem, cob-sheath, and cob. In addition, a sample representing the total plant was composited. Dry matter (DM) yields, component proportions and contents of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) of the components were determined. Components other than grain comprised 50% of the dry mass of the plant. The CP, Ca and P contents of these were generally low. IVDOM was also low (mean 53%) which can probably be attributed to the high cell wall content, as reflected in the NDF value of 83%. By contrast, the NDF content of the grain component was only 12% and the IVDOM content 86%. However, the Ca content of the grain was low and the Ca: P ratio of 0,02: I was, in terms of ruminant nutrition, excessively wide. The results indicate that the potential of the mature dry maize plant as ruminant feed can only be realized if the concentrations of CP, Ca and P (5,3%; 1,3 and 0,9 g/kg respectively) are increased to appropriate levels with suitable supplements.

 

 

Keywords: chemical composition, components, digestibility, Mature maize plants
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