Genetic and environmental variation in quality of forage maize in Europe.

Abstract

Various forage maize hybrids were grown in 24 trials in Europe in 1985-86 and harvested at silage maturity to investigate the variation in quality. Av. apparent OM digestibility of the whole crop was high at 73.5% (range 64.7-81.4%). The range in digestibility or nutritive value between locations was small but genetic differences in digestibility of the various hybrids over the locations was greater. Maize of 75% digestibility could be grown in all countries. Digestibility could be raised to 80% by breeding for higher digestibility of cell walls of the straw. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)