Effect of maize kernel endosperm type and maturity stage on ruminal in situ degradability and post-ruminal in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility

J. Třináctý, J. Nedělník, J. Lang, R. Loučka and J. Kučera
Additional contact information
J. Třináctý: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic
J. Nedělník: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic
J. Lang: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic
R. Loučka: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
J. Kučera: Czech Fleckvieh Breeders Association, Prague, Czech Republic

Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2016, vol. 61, issue 8, 351-359

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of maize grain texture (dent vs semi-flint) and two different stages of maturity (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line) on ruminal starch degradability and total tract digestibility using in situ and combined in situ-in vitro methods, respectively. The content of whole plant dry matter was 324.6 vs 399.5 g/kg (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line, respectively) for dent maize and 330.2 vs 401.3 g/kg for semi-flint maize. Organic nutrients (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, ether extract, starch), 1000-grain weight, vitreousness, and mean particle size were determined. The evaluation was performed using two non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Effective degradability of dry matter and starch was calculated at ruminal outflow rates of 4, 6, and 8%/h. Vitreousness was lower for dent than for semi-flint grain, averaging 65.6% and 74.3% (P < 0.001). Ground dent maize grain showed lower mean particle size than did that of semi-flint maize (1.76 vs 1.88 mm, respectively, P < 0.001). Effective starch degradability calculated for the medium outflow rate (6%/h) was 69.1% vs 65.3% (P < 0.01) for dent and semi-flint maize and 69.0% vs 65.4% (P < 0.01) for lower (1/2 milk line) and higher (3/4 milk line) maturity, respectively. Higher (P < 0.001) mean starch total tract digestibility was found for dent maize (88.5%) than for semi-flint maize (82.5%) and for kernels harvested at 1/2 milk line (87.4%) than for those harvested at 3/4 milk line (83.6%, P < 0.001). Small differences in grain texture and silage maturity stage significantly influenced ruminal in situ degradability and total tract in situ-in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility.

Keywords: maize grain; dent; flint; vitreousness; mean particle size; rumen; effective degradability; starch degradability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:62-2015-cjas

DOI: 10.17221/62/2015-CJAS

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