Effects of defoliation time of maize on leaf yield, quality and storage of maize leafs as dry season forage for ruminant production

Abstract

Shortage of feed during a dry season has remained a challenge to improving ruminant production in Nigeria. This study was aimed to develop a dry season feed for ruminants based on the production of hay from maize defoliation. Five maize defoliation treatments of maize at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting as well as the undefoliated treatment was used to assess the leaf yield, quality and storage of maize leafs in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results showed that maize defoliation on or before 12 weeks after planting (WAP) reduced (P < 0.05) leaf and grain yields but produced the highest leaf dry matter (DM) with the highest level of crude protein. However, maize defoliated at 12WAP produced more leaf DM/ha and a crude protein content of about 12% with no reduction (P > 0.05) in grain yield. The crude protein content of maize leafs decreases (P< 0.05) with delayed defoliation while the fiber contents increased (P< 0.05). Storing maize leafs for 4 months did not have any significant effect (P > 0.05) on the DM and crude protein content as well as the weight of the leafs. It was therefore, concluded that the production of quality hay from maize leafs for dry season feeding of ruminants could be obtained by defoliating maize from 12 WAP and stored for a period of four months without significantly (P < 0.05) affecting the maize grain yield.