STUDY ON FORAGE QUALITY OF VARIOUS MAIZE CULTIVARSPRODUCED UNDER DIFFERENT USE PATTERNS
M. SHANTI, D. NAGALAKSHMI1, R. BALAJI NAIK, V. CHANDRIKA AND CH. CHIRANJEEVI
AICRP on Forage Crops
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University,
Hyderabad (A. P.), India
SUMMARY
Three varieties each of baby corn, green corn, forage maize and seed crop along with one forage
national check (African Tall) were grown to study the fodder potential, yields as baby corn, green cob, fodder and grain. The quality of fodder either green or dry was also studied and the fodder of baby corn was found to be superior with respect to crude protein content, while other parameters viz., crude fibre and IVDMD were commendable. Though the fodder yields were lesser in baby corn, the revenue from baby cobs especially in urban and peri-urban areas brought higher returns. The net returns were Rs. 39,750/ha from baby corn. The economics through net returns and B : C ratio indicated baby corn > fodder crop > seed crop > green cob.
Key words : Forage quality, IVDMD, fodder, grain, maize