Effect of cactus pear as a moistening additive in the production of rehydrated corn grain silage

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of cactus pear as a moistening additive on fermentative and microbiological characteristics, aerobic stability (AS), chemical composition and in situ rumen degradability of corn grain silage at different opening times. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with four levels of dry matter (DM) (50; 60; 70 and 80% of DM) and three opening times (30; 60 and 120 days after ensiling), with four replications. There was an effect of interaction (P < 0.05) between the DM levels and opening times on silage yeast population, effluent losses, gas losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), AS of the silage and on lactic acid bacteria, mould and yeast populations after AS trial. The 60% DM level presented DMR values above 930 g/kg of DM. However, the lowest AS time (96.52 h) was observed in silages with 60% DM at 60 days after ensiling, although all silages have shown high AS. The DM in situ degradability of the ensiled mass increased after the ensiling process at all DM levels and opening times, with the 60% DM content showing the best result. When using cactus pear as a corn grain moistening additive, the 60% DM level is recommended when the opening time is up 120 days.

RESEARCH OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE GRAIN RECEPTION LINE OPERATION FROM AUTO TRANSPORT AT THE PROCUREMENT PRODUCTION GRAIN ELEVATOR

The results of the study of the characteristics of the technological line for grain reception from auto transport at the procurement production grain elevator of LLC ―Agricultural Enterprise ―Vesna 21‖ are presented. In the process of research, the quantitative and qualitative composition, volumes and duration of the harvesting periods of early and late crops, the quantitative and qualitative composition and characteristics of auto transport delivering grain to the enterprise were determined; the most intensive supply of early and late crops, as well as the actual coefficients of daily irregularity of their supply by auto transport.It is shown that the enterprise in 2017-2019 traditionally received such early crops as wheat of 2-6 classes and rapeseed of the highest and 1st class. Late crops were represented by corn (3rd class and non-class) and soybeans (non-standard and extruded). The volumes of harvesting of the corn and wheat (main crops)for the indicated years correlated, respectively (%) 49.2:41.2; 60.1: 24.9 and 66.1:17.1, which indicates a tendency for a significant increase in the supply of late crops, especially corn grain. The ratio between early and late crops for 2017–2019 was 45:55, 24:76 and 20:80, respectively (%).The monthly grain flow to the grain elevator was rather irregular. Most of the grain was received from July to December, when the periods of harvesting of early and late crops coincide, and especially in the autumn months, in September, October and November, up to 32.9 %, less – in the off-season from January to June, to 12.3 %. All the same, a lot of grain in percentage terms was received in November 2017 and October 2018 – 32.9 % each.An analysis of the quantitative and qualitative composition of cars that delivered grain to the procurement and production elevator in 2017-2019 showed that the carrying capacity of the vehicles ranged from 3 ... 51 tons. In 2017, 80.9% of all grain received by the enterprise was delivered by 2771 vehicles (cars) with a carrying capacity of 20 ... 40 tons, which amounted to 82.4 % of their annual quantity. In 2018, these indicators were as follows – 87.2 % of grain was delivered by 84.5% of vehicles of the same carrying capacity, and in 2019 – 93.4 % of grain was delivered by 93.0 % of the same vehicles. In the years studied, there was a tendency to an increase in the share of more heavy-duty vehicles (35...40 t). However, the number of vehicles with a carrying capacity of more than 40 tons, delivering significant volumes of grain, has significantly decreased, which is associated with the legislative limitation of the vehicles weight. The optimal carrying capacity in terms of the ratio of the mass of the delivered grain: the number of vehicles, taking into account legal restrictions, can be recommended 35...40 tons.The main characteristics of the reception of an early and late crops at the procurement and production elevator, respectively, for 2017-2018 were the following values: the duration of the arrival of early crops, days - 126, 119 and 97, late – 142, 145 and 240; harvesting period of early crops, days – 73, 88 and 68, late crops – 86, 78 and 57; the most intensive supply of early crops, t/day – 8378, 596 and 1428, late crops 1966, 1576 and 1909; actual coefficients of grain reception irregularity by auto transport of early crops – 6.3; 2.2 and 3.6, late – 2.5, 2.4 and 2.9, which exceeds the standard values of 1.6 and should be taken into account when improving the operation of the grain reception line.

Evaluation of the biochemical composition of corn grain of the selection of FGBNU RosNIISK "Rossorgo" for further use in the agro-industrial complex

The article examines the biological value of varieties, hybrids (hybrid populations) and lines of maize selection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution RosNIISK "Rossorgo" in the framework of the biochemical composition of grain. The main indicators were studied: protein, fat, ash, fiber, starch, and nitrogen-free extractive substances. The maximum protein value of 13.58% was in the RSK 3 maize line. The largest number of mineral substances (1.79%) was also noted here. The highest amount of fat (7.50%) and starch (69.24%) was in the Zuckerka variety. A conclusion was made about the possibility of further selection for the breeding of forms with directional properties and biological value. Keywords: CORN, VARIETIES, BIOLOGICAL VALUE, PROTEIN, FAT, FIBER, MINERAL SUBSTANCES, STARCH

Does foliar nicotinamide application affect second crop corn (Zea mays)?

The largest corn yeld in Brazil is currently in the second harvest, which is the most susceptible period to climatic adversities occurring during the cycle. Thus, introducing beneficial elements for maintaining the adequate development of the plant can help producers in obtaining greater kernel yields. Among studied elements, nicotinamide has potential use since it is associated with accumulating secondary metabolites and manifesting defence metabolism in plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of nicotinamide applied in different doses (only once or in instalments) on the biometric and productive characteristics of corn. The treatments were composed by the number of nicotinamide applications (one or two) and five doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg L-1). Plant diameter, plant height, ear insertion height, leaf area and dry matter, yield and 100-kernel mass were evaluated. It was found that doses close to 100 mg L-1 resulted in increases in vegetative and reproductive development, regardless of the number of applications. In this way, foliar nicotinamide application positively influences the biometric and productive characteristics of second crop corn. Highlights The use of nicotinamide in corn plants improves its growth, yield components and grain yield. A single application of nicotinamide during vegetative stage V3 at a dose of 100 mg L-1 is sufficient to increase the leaf area of corn plants. Corn grain yield can be increased by 12.6% with a single application of nicotinamide. There was no need for two applications of nicotinamide in corn crop.

Closing the Gap: Sustainable Intensification Implications of Increased Corn Yields and Quality for Second-Crop (Safrinha) in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Corn grown as second-crop (safrinha) immediately after soybeans contributes to Brazil’s recent sustainable intensification of efforts to land spare and reduce deforestation. Brazil’s Mato Grosso state is very important for corn production with a large number of available hybrids for producers with different characteristics. Evaluating as many hybrids as possible increases the likelihood of identifying those that are more productive. Our experiment used a randomized block design to evaluate 20 corn hybrids for yield and quality in the western Cerrado savannah region of Mato Grosso state. There were significant differences in silage quality and grain yield between hybrids. Silage quality was correlated with higher grain yield. Corn grain yields for 10 higher-yielding hybrids (average = 11,425 kg/hectare) were significantly greater than the two lowest yielding hybrids (6974 and 8207 kg/hectare) and 64% more than the 2020 average in Mato Grosso. Precipitation was not limiting during our experiment but may be in the drier Cerrado area and during other years. Higher silage quality with lower lignin content and higher in vitro digestibility can improve beef productivity as Brazil transitions from extensive grazing to more intensified systems such as pasture supplementation. Increasing corn grain yields in Mato Grosso can hedge against lower crop yields elsewhere.

Agronomic aspects, chemical composition and digestibility of forage from corn-crotalaria intercropping

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different intercropping and spacing arrangements of corn (Zea mays L) and crotalaria (Crotalaria spp) on the agronomic characteristics, chemical composition and forage digestibility. The experiment was distributed in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme. The treatments were two cultivation systems (corn + Crotalaria juncea (CCJ) intercropping, and corn + Crotalaria ochroleuca (CCO) intercropping), in two spacing arrangements (A1 (corn and crotalaria sown in the same row) and A2 (corn and crotalaria sown in alternate rows)) plus control (single corn monocropping (CSC)), with six replicates per treatment, for 2 years. Forage plants were harvested when the corn grain reached the doughy-farinaceous phenological stage. Forage mass (total and of each species), morphological composition, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were evaluated. The forage accumulation was higher for the A1 spatial arrangement. In the second year, the highest total forage mass was verified in the CCO intercropping (11 140 kg/ha). The highest corn mass (9402 kg/ha) was observed for CSC. The highest crotalaria mass was observed in the CCJ intercropping in both years. Regarding the chemical composition, CCJ and CCO intercropping had the highest crude protein concentration. The lowest acid detergent fibre concentration was observed in CSC and CCO intercropping, directly reflecting the in vitro dry matter digestibility coefficients. It is concluded that C. ochroleuca, sown between corn rows, had higher forage accumulation and nutritive value among the treatments tested in this experiment.

Effect of Partial Substitution of Corn with Whole-Grain Wheat in Fattening Lamb Diets on their Growth Performance

Summary Wheat grain is commonly used for animal feeding in some regions while it is rarely used in others. Its nutrient composition is quite similar to more commonly used corn grain, but there are some concerns regarding its effect on animal performance and health. However, it appears that usage of wheat grain in animal feeding is dominantly affected by economic rather than nutritional reasons. When used with caution, wheat can be a good alternative to corn. In order to test this, 20 Wurttemberg lambs, three months old, were randomly separated in two groups and fed diets containing 600 g of corn grain, or 300 g of corn grain and 300 g of wheat grain, for a period of one month. The used grains were whole, non processed grains. Two diets contained the same commercial protein supplement and alfalfa hay was offered ad libitum. Both groups accepted their experimental diet well and readily consumed the amounts offered. No health problems were observed. Growth rate was higher in male than in female lambs, but was not affected by wheat inclusion.

Effect of Machine Clearance and Maize Moisture Contents on Mechanical Parameters For Local Shelling Machine

The impact of local thresher machine on maize Syn12 cultivar was tested at two CL - 0.5, and 0.7 mm at three ranges of MOI - 16%, 18%, and 21%. The experiments were conducted in a factorial experiment under a complete randomized design with three replications. The CL- 0.7 mm was significantly more than CL -0.5 mm in all studied parameters. While the corn grain moisture content at a range of 16% was significantly superior compared to the other ranges (18 and 21%) in all parameters. For the CL -0.7mm and MOI 16%, the PP,PR,TE,BR,PCG,WG and GC were 1.566 t.hr-1and 1.715 t.hr-1, 9.155 Kw and 9.028 Kw, 86.009% and 89.587%; 3.228% and 3.064%;2.184% and 2.013; 81.14% and 81.69%and 90.743% and 91.587%, respectively.