Effect of harvesting corn after frost in Alberta (Canada) on whole-plant yield, nutritive value, and kernel properties
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2021-03-01
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Guyader, Jessie
- Baron, Vern S.
- Beauchemin, Karen A.
- Publisher
- MDPI
Alternative title
Effet de la récolte du maïs après le gel en Alberta (Canada) sur le rendement, la valeur nutritive et les propriétés des grains du plant entier
Abstract
This study compares yield, nutritive value, and kernel properties of whole plant corn (WPC) harvested before and after a light frost in short growing season areas. Six corn hybrids grown in two years at three locations within Alberta (Canada) were harvested before or after the first frost. Samples of WPC were analyzed for dry matter (DM) content, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration, starch concentration, and 48-h in vitro DM and NDF digestibility (DMD and NDFD, respectively). Cob samples were analyzed for DM, and kernels were analyzed for DM, hardness, particle size distribution, density, and stage of maturity. Delaying harvest to after frost increased DM content of WPC at all locations but exceeded the recommended range (32–38%) in the two warmest locations. Whatever the year and hybrid, DM yield was either not affected or decreased after frost. Postfrost harvest increased starch concentration and modified kernel characteristics only if these were less than expected before frost. Fiber concentration was not affected by harvesting time. Frost had either no impact or increased DMD or NDFD of WPC. We conclude that delaying harvest until after frost in short growing season areas can be beneficial when whole-plant DM content is low before frost.
Plain language summary
This study compared yield, nutritive value, and kernel properties of whole plant corn (WPC) harvested before and after a light frost in 3 locations in Alberta We concluded that delaying harvest until after frost in short growing season areas such as Lacombe can be beneficial when whole plant dry matter content is low before frost In warmer locations (southern Alberta) harvesting after frost may result in the material being very dry and subject to spoilage during ensilaging
Subject
- Agriculture
Keywords
- corn,
- corn silage,
- short growing season,
- frost,
- nutrient composition,
- kernel,
- yield,
- hybrid
Rights
Peer review
Yes
Open access level
Gold
Identifiers
- ISSN
- 2073-4395
Article
- Journal title
- Agronomy
- Journal volume
- 11
- Journal issue
- 3
- Article number
- 459
- Accepted date
- 2021-02-26
- Submitted date
- 2021-02-18
Citation(s)
Guyader, J., Baron, V. S., & Beauchemin, K. A. (2021). Effect of harvesting corn after frost in Alberta (Canada) on whole-plant yield, nutritive value and kernel properties. Agronomy, 11(3), 459. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030459