The utilisable value of the maize plant (biomass) for silage

Abstract

According to the estimation of leading experts, the maize utilisation for the production of silage from the whole plant, wet ear and wet grain should be one of the most important forms of its application in animal nutrition. Maize a major forage crop, because the highest accumulation of solar energy per area unit is accomplished by maize production and ensiling. At the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, selection, testing and evaluation of silage maize. The aim of this study was to draw attention to this extremely significant field of science and studies on the utilisation of the whole maize plant (biomass) in feeding of domestic animals, primarily ruminants. This paper presents and discusses previous results and achievements of long-term scientific researches on the improvement of maize plant utilisation in making good-quality silage not only in our country but also in the world.

Keywords

• maize
• silage
• lignocellulose fibres
• digestibility