One hundred thirty-two commercially available corn hybrids, grown in 2 field replications within three locations, were evaluated for effects of corn hybrid, kernel traits and growing location on digestibility. A significant hybrid by location interaction was observed for most kernel traits. There is potential to select hybrids for DM digestibility, but digestibility shows no consistent relationship with other kernel traits

Erickson, Galen E.

Fithian, Wayne A.

Harrelson, Flint W.

Jackson, David S

Klopfenstein, Terry J.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 1-1-2008 Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, and Growing Location on Digestibility Flint W. Harrelson University of Nebraska-Lincoln Galen E. Erickson University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gerickson4@unl.edu Terry J. Klopfenstein University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu David S. Jackson University of Nebraska-Lincoln, djackson1@unl.edu Wayne A. Fithian Golden Harvest Seeds, Waterloo, Nebraska Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr  Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Harrelson, Flint W.; Erickson, Galen E.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; Jackson, David S.; and Fithian, Wayne A., "Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, and Growing Location on Digestibility" (2008). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 21. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/21 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Page 52 — 2008 Nebraska Beef Report  © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved.Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, and Growing Location on DigestibilityFlint W. HarrelsonGalen E. EricksonTerry J. KlopfensteinDavid S. JacksonWayne A. Fithian1SummaryOne hundred thirty-two commer-cially available corn hybrids, grown in 2 field replications within three locations, were evaluated for effects of corn hybrid, kernel traits and growing location on digestibility. A significant hybrid by location interaction was observed for most kernel traits. There is potential to select hybrids for DM digestibility, but digestibility shows no consistent rela-tionship with other kernel traits.IntroductionStudies (2004 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 54-57 and 2006 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 45-47) have shown that corn hybrids with a larger propor-tion of softer endosperm can improve feedlot performance and digestibility. Effects of location or growing envi-ronments, on kernel characteristics, feedlot performance, and digestibility have not been reported. Therefore, the objective of our experiment was to evaluate kernel traits and in situ digestibility of corn hybrids grown at three locations. ProcedureGrain Production and SamplingOne hundred thirty-two com-mercially available corn hybrids were grown at three separate commercial research locations throughout the Corn Belt. Within the three loca-tions (Pekin, Ill., Ames, Iowa, and Waterloo, Neb.), hybrids were grown in two similar, independent field plots. At harvest, a 5 lb corn sample was collected for analysis. A small subsample was collected and sent to a commercial (Precision Grain Analyt-ics) laboratory for near infrared (NIR) analyses of starch, protein, and oil. The remaining sample was analyzed at the University of Nebraska Animal Science Complex. 1,000 Kernel Weights and Stenvert Hard-ness TestSamples were analyzed in dupli-cate for both 1,000 kernel weight and Stenvert hardness test as described in previous research (2006 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 4-44).In Situ Dry Matter DigestibilityThirty hybrids were chosen for in situ digestibility analysis in order to identify physical characteristics which could predict digestibility. Hybrids were chosen based on a range of kernel weights and hardness as well as from prior research conducted with many of the hybrids from this trial. Samples were ground through a Wiley Mill with a 6.5 mm screen to simulate a masticated dry-rolled corn sample. Once ground, a 5 g sample was placed in a 5×H10 cm Dacron bag, which was then heat sealed. Two replications of each sample were incubated in two ruminally and duo-denally fistulated Holstein steers. In total, 24 individual replications, two per plot per location, were observed for each selected hybrid. Bags were incubated for 22 hours, which was based on the 75% mean retention time for a .44%/hour passage rate. After incubation, bags were removed, rinsed, and machine washed using five three-minute cycles and dried in a 60oC forced air oven for 48 hours.Data analysisKernel traits were analyzed us-ing the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.), with hybrid, location, and hybrid*location interaction as fixed effects. Relation-ships were analyzed using the CORR procedure of SAS to obtain simple correlation coefficients.Hybrids used in this study repre-sent a large range in growing seasons or relative maturity (RM). The RM is a crop research tool that evaluates the length of time necessary for the corn plant to reach full maturity, in order to be grown in different geo-graphical locations. Seven RM groups were represented within the entire group of hybrids, with three groups most consistent with Nebraska corn production. The categories were an RM of 97-10 (Group 1), which would be grown in northern and western Nebraska, an RM group of 104-107 (Group 2), which would represent northeastern Nebraska as well as northern Iowa and an RM group of 108-112 (Group ), which would represent production in central and southeastern Nebraska. ResultsRM group 97 - 103 (Group 1)Physical and chemical charac-teristics for hybrids within Group 1 are presented in Table 1. Twenty-five hybrids fell into this group, with 5 of those hybrids being evaluated for in situ DM digestibility (ISDMD). A significant hybrid*location interac-tion was observed for all kernel traits within this group. No significant relationships were observed between ISDMD and any other kernel charac-teristic, but we only had five hybrids evaluated for ISDMD within this group. The strongest relationships observed for Group 1 were between NIR measurements. Starch content was negatively related to both oil and protein (r = -0.54, and r = -0.58 respectively). © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2008 Nebraska Beef Report  — Page 5 the NIR measurements showed the strongest relationships, with starch content being negatively correlated with both oil and protein (r = -0.48, and r = -0.47 respectively).RM group 108 - 112 (Group 3)Physical and chemical kernel char-acteristics for Group  are presented in Table . In this group, 6 hybrids were evaluated, with seven of these evaluated for ISDMD. Similar to Group 2, significant interactions were observed for all kernel traits except starch and ISDMD. Location was not significant for either trait (P < 0.20), though both were affected by hybrid (P < 0.02). Similar to both previous RM groups, no significant relation-ships were observed between ISDMD and other kernel characteristics. Again, the NIR measurements were observed to have the strongest rela-tionships between each other. Starch content was negatively correlated to both oil and protein (r = -0.57, and  r = -0.41 respectively). Oil content was also positively correlated to 1,000 ker-nel weight (r = 0.41) indicating that heavier kernels contain more oil.The results of this trial suggest that a hybrid*location interaction exists for most kernel traits no matter what RM group they are in. The results also show that a wide range in kernel traits exist and that these ranges are observed throughout all RM groups. We were unable to detect significant relationships between ISDMD and other chemical or physical kernel traits, though within most RM groups no interaction between hybrid and location was observed. Grind time had a negative correlation, though not significant, with ISDMD within almost all RM groups, which would suggest that harder kernels are less digestible. 1Flint W. Harrelson, graduate student; Galen E. Erickson, associate professor; and Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor, Animal Science, Lincoln. David S. Jackson, professor, Food Sci-ence and Technology, Lincoln. Wayne A. Fithian, Golden Harvest Seeds, Waterloo,. Table 1. Physical and chemical characteristics across hybrids within maturity group 97-103 (Group 1).      Standard # of Variable Mean Maximum Minimum  Deviation hybridsa P - valuebKernel wt., g 27.7 45.8 22.1 22.8 25 <0.01Stenvert Hardness      Time to grind, s 6.4 8.0 5.0 0.69 25 <0.01 RPM 2428 2610 2210 75 25 <0.01 Soft ht, % 72.7 79.61 66.04 1.88 25 <0.01 Hard % 72.25 75.94 64.92 1.84 25 <0.01Oil, % 4.2 4.94 .65 0.0 25 <0.01Protein, % 10.07 11.06 8.86 0.51 25 <0.01Starch, % 71.41 72.71 68.97 0.74 25 <0.01ISDMDc 2.11 41.10 2.90 4.57 5 <0.01aNumber of hybrids evaluated for each traitbP - value of hybrid*location effectcISDMD = in situ DM digestibilityTable 2. Physical and chemical characteristics across hybrids within maturity group 104-107 (Group 2).     Standard # of Variable Mean Maximum Minimum  Deviation hybridsa P - valuebKernel wt., g 271.6 71.7 20.9 8. 21 <0.01Stenvert Hardness Time to grind, s 6.7 10.0 5.0 0.97 21 <0.01 RPM 2418 2700 2280 74 21 <0.01 Soft ht, % 72.9 78.64 68.7 1.91 21 <0.01 Hard % 72.24 78.41 64.8 2.0 21 <0.01Oil, % 4.18 5.06 .40 0.5 21 0.4Protein, % 9.8 11.1 8.62 0.61 21 <0.01Starch, % 71.67 7.51 68.9 0.8 21 0.05ISDMDc .14 9.65 20.67 4.69 5 0.22aNumber of hybrids evaluated for each traitbP - value of hybrid*location effectcISDMD = in situ DM digestibilityTable 3. Physical and chemical characteristics across hybrids within maturity group 108-112 (Group 3).     Standard # of Variable Mean Maximum Minimum  Deviation hybridsa P - valuebKernel wt., g 287. 81.1 202.2 1.2 6 <0.01 Stenvert Hardness Time to grind, s 6.7 9.0 5.0 0.91 6 <0.01 RPM 2417 2640 2250 75 6 <0.01 Soft ht, % 72.59 79.1 67.62 1.78 6 <0.01 Hard % 72.44 76.9 66.19 1.86 6 <0.01Oil, % 4.9 5.28 .41 0.2 6 0.02Protein, % 9.55 11.04 7.84 0.62 6 <0.01Starch, % 71.47 72.90 69.46 0.75 6 0.66ISDMDc .8 41.12 22.47 4.52 7 0.08aNumber of hybrids evaluated for each traitbP - value of hybrid*location effectcISDMD = in situ DM digestibilityRM group 104 - 107 (Group 2)Table 2 contains the physical and chemical kernel characteristics for Group 2. Within this group, 21 hybrids were represented for kernel analysis. A significant interaction between hybrid and location was observed for all kernel traits except oil, starch, and ISDMD. Starch content was only affected by hybrid (P < 0.01), while both oil and ISDMD were affected  by hybrid (P < 0.0) and location  (P < 0.0). Similar to Group 1, no sig-nificant relationships between ISDMD and other kernel traits were observed, though soft height percentage was approaching significance (P = 0.08,  r = 0.2). Also similar to Group 1, 

Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, and Growing Location on Digestibility

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=animalscinbcr

Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, and Growing Location on Digestibility

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska