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Optimizing maize fodder production under water limited conditions is essential for sustainable livestock systems facing climate induced water stress and declining soil fertility. In this two-year field study, we investigated how deficit irrigation at different maize growth stages (VT-R3, R3-R6, VE-VT) in combination with potassium fertilization (0, 50 kg ha⁻¹) and bacteria inoculation (B-, B+) influences water use efficiency and the nutritional quality of maize fodder. Data was recorded on acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), ash, hemicellulose, biological yield, water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency. Irrigation timing exerted the strongest influence on most traits. Late season deficit irrigation (R3-R6) increased fiber accumulation (ADF and NDF), whereas early season deficit irrigation (VE-VT) consistently reduced fiber accumulation while improving crude protein content and irrigation water use efficiency. Full irrigation produced the highest biological yield, followed by early season deficit irrigation. Potassium fertilization enhanced crude protein content and water use efficiency, particularly under water limited conditions. Bacterial inoculation significantly improved crude protein concentration, biological yield, and both water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency, with more pronounced effects under deficit irrigation. Overall, the results indicate that early season deficit irrigation (VE-VT) combined with potassium supplementation and bacterial inoculation represents an effective integrated strategy to improve forage biomass production and water productivity in maize; however, these practices may also increase fiber fractions, potentially reducing digestibility and voluntary intake, and therefore require careful balancing of yield gains with forage quality.

Forage maize holds significant importance as a cereal forage crop due to its exceptional fodder quality. This study primarily aimed to identify genomic regions associated with forage quality traits in this crop. QTL analysis on a mapping population of the cross DM 94 × African Tall, identified 11 QTLs associated with quality traits. The phenotypic variation explained by each locus ranged from 2.5 (CF) to 20.5% (NDF). Notably, qNDF-9–1 (20.5%) and qCP-3–1 (12.8%) individually accounted for over 10% of the phenotypic variation. The validation of qCP-3–1 in a different mapping population (52485 × UMI 1221) underscores its significance. Therefore, this specific QTL qCP-3–1 can be effectively incorporated into forage maize improvement programs, especially focusing on enhancing CP content.

Maize is recognized as an exceptional forage crop with superior forage quality among cereal forage crops. For forage breeders, the primary objective is to identify high-yielding and stable genotypes. The aim of this study was to select superior and stable fodder maize hybrids from 195 single-cross hybrids on the basis of 16 variables. The selection was carried out using the MGIDI index within each season, with a selection intensity of 5%. Genotypes G48, G47, and G79, which had the lowest MGIDI indices in the rainy 2022, winter 2022, and summer 2023 seasons, respectively, were identified as superior in the 16 variables studied. In addition, the MTSI index was used to evaluate genotype stability across multiple traits, identifying genotype G24 as having the lowest MTSI index. These robust statistical tools proved effective in identifying the most stable and high-performing genotypes among the 195 single-cross forage maize hybrids analyzed.

Maize ( Zea mays L.) growth and yield are severely affected due to intraspecific competition and agroclimatic conditions when cultivated with high plant densities. Field trials comprising four daily thinning patterns (0, 0.5, 1.0, &1.5% till silking) carried out in three consecutive years (2019–2021) using RCBD experimental design consisting of three replicates. Growth variables, dry matter allocation and growth rates in maize were examined during five biweekly periods starting from the emergence (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after emergence, DAE) till silking whereas yield parameters i.e., biological yield, economic yield, and sustainability yield index (SYI) were recorded. Biweekly increase in growth variables, dry matter partitioning and growth rates of maize differed significantly due to the influence of daily thinning computed for the periods from 31 to 45, 46 to 60 and 61 to 75 DAE but the same parameters didn’t differ significantly during the first two biweekly periods (1–15 & 16–30 DAE). Increase in growth variables, dry matter distribution, absolute growth rate (AGR), yield and SYI was the greatest where maize was established with 1% daily thinning. This increase in growth and dry matter partition observed highly associated to economic yield and biological yield. Current research highlighted that 3, 4 th, and 5 th biweekly periods are the most critical stages and daily thinning of 1% is suggested for higher and sustainable economic and biological returns from high density broadcasted maize.

Optimizing nutrient management strategies is crucial for enhancing the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of fodder maize (Zea mays) while minimizing environmental impacts. This study investigated the effects of innovative nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) management approaches on fodder maize production. Different combinations of nitrogen fertilizers, including conventional urea and nano-urea, were applied in conjunction with targeted foliar sprays of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and nano-zinc. The experiment was carried out in a Factorial Randomized Block design with four nitrogen management strategies (control N, 100% recommended nitrogen dose RDN through urea, 50% RDN through urea + two sprays of nano-urea at six and ten leaves stages, and 33.33% RDN through urea + two sprays of nano-urea at six and ten leaves stage) and four zinc management strategies (control Zn, soil application of ZnSO4, foliar application of ZnSO4, and foliar application of nano-Zn) which were replicated thrice. The study revealed that applying 50% of RDN through urea, along with dual foliar sprays of nano-urea, achieved comparable productivity to the 100% RDN through urea only. Among the Zn managements, both foliar and soil applications of conventional ZnSO4 recorded similar green and dry fodder yields, although foliar application of ZnSO4 was observed to be superior in terms of qualitative attributes. Maize subjected to the integrated nitrogen and zinc management strategy exhibited elevated protein content and reduced fiber fractions. These findings highlight the potential of nano-urea and foliar zinc application in enhancing both productivity and nutritional quality, while reducing dependence on conventional chemical fertilizers.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the addition of different levels of liquid organic compost of Chromolaena odorata (CO) in hydroponic media on production, nutrient composition, and in vitro digestibility of hydroponic maize fodder. Maize grains were obtained from the local market and grown hydroponically in the media. The study was design following a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were: CR 0 = without liquid organic compost; and with liquid organic compost of 25 ml (CR 1); 50 ml (CR 2); 75 ml (CR 3); 100 ml (CR 4). The liquid organic compost of Chromolaena odorata used was fermented for 21 days before application into the fodder. Maize fodder was grown hydroponically for 7 days before being harvested. Data obtained from this study were analyzed using ANOVA of SPSS 25. Addition of liquid organic compost of Chromolaena odorata had a significant effect on increasing (P<0.05) fodder height, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight, and dry weight. Similarly increasing the level of liquid organic compost of Chromolaena odorata significantly improved I n vitro dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, VFA, and NH3. However, there was no different between treatments (P>0.05) on root length. In conclusion, the addition of different levels of liquid organic compost of Chromolaena odorata increased maize production, nutrient composition and in vitro digestibility of hydroponic maize fodder.

This study aimed to enhance nutrient intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites in Kacang goats by substituting grass silage with hydroponic maize fodder enriched with fermented compost tea. The compost tea, prepared by fermenting organic compost with sugared water + 40 mL EM4 for 3 days, was used to grow maize fodder hydroponically. Four male Kacang goats (13.05 ± 1.32 kg) were assigned to four dietary treatments in a 4x4 latin square design over four 15-day periods (10 days for adaption, 5 days for data collection). The treatments were: 60% grass silage + 10% Leucaena leucocephala + 30% concentrate (control, FCG0); 30% grass silage + 30% hydroponic maize fodder + 10% L. leucocephala + 30% concentrate (FCG1); 15% grass silage + 45% hydroponic maize fodder + 10%L. leucocephala + 30% concentrate (FCG2); and 60% hydroponic maize fodder + 10% L. leucocephala + 30% concentrate (FCG3). Goats on FCG3 had lower (p<0.05) dry matter intake (152.48 g/day) compared to FCG0 (226.83 g/day). Nutrient digestibility, including organic matter and crude fiber, improved (p<0.05) in FCG3 (77.21% and 66.12%) compared to FCG0 (76.62% and 52.27%). Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) increased in FCG3 (131.54 mM) compared to FCG0 (111.73 mM). However, no significant differences were observed in ruminal ammonia (NH₃-N), ruminal pH, or blood metabolites. In conclusion, substituting grass silage with hydroponic maize fodder enriched with fermented compost tea up to 75% of the diet improved digestibility and rumen fermentation without negatively affecting intake, digestibility, or blood metabolites in Kacang goats, suggesting its potential as an alternative feed. However, complete substitution (100%) reduced intake, indicating challenges at higher substitution levels.

Purpose The significance of silicon (Si) in plant nutrition has been debated for many years. Agriculture has overlooked silicon fertilization because of the common belief that soil contains sufficient Si. This has led to neglect of its potential advantages in optimal, stress-free conditions. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of orthosilicic acid (OSA) on the growth, yield, nutrient content, and quality of fodder maize. Methods The experiment consisted seven treatments with different concentrations of OSA (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%) were applied at 30 DAS stage along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF 120–26-33 kg N-P - K/ha). RDF without OSA application was used as control. Results The results showed that OSA application significantly improved green fodder yield (GFY) and dry fodder yield (DFY). 0.25% OSA concentration resulted in the highest GFY (53.63 t ha −1 ) and DFY (13.35 t ha −1 ), which were 10.6% and 45.3% higher over control, respectively. The application of OSA also positively influenced growth parameters such as crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf:stem ratio, and physiological parameters including SPAD (chlorophyll content), relative water content (RWC%), and leaf area index (LAI). OSA foliar spray improved the nutrient content and uptake in fodder maize. Nitrogen (N%), potassium (K%), and calcium (Ca%) concentrations were significantly increased with OSA application, while phosphorus (P%) concentration remained unaffected. The uptake of N, P, K, and Ca was significantly higher in the OSA-treated plots, with 0.25% OSA treatment showing the highest nutrient uptake. OSA application improved dry matter (DM%) by 11.3%, crude protein (CP%) 1.3%, total ash (TA%) 3.3%, and lowered neutral detergent fiber (NDF%) 2.0%, and acid detergent fiber (ADF%) 2.7%. Economic analysis revealed that OSA at 0.25% concentration resulted in the highest gross return, net return, and benefit–cost ratio (B:C), indicating its economic viability. Conclusion Therefore, foliar spray of OSA, at 0.25% concentration, at 30 DAS improved the growth, yield, nutrient content, and quality of fodder maize. This study highlights the potential of OSA as a beneficial foliar spray for enhancing production and quality of fodder maize.

Maize yield is highly sensitive to climate change and extreme weather events. In some locations, it is projected to decrease due to an increase in the average growing season temperature. The present study analyzes changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in the Comarca Lagunera located in Northern Mexico, using the ETCCDI indices. We examined a 40-year period (1980–2020) using daily and monthly climate data provided by the National Meteorological Service. The climate databases were subjected to quality control, homogenization, and data filling using Climatol, and the ETCCDI indices were obtained using RClimDex software. Results indicate that the climate variable that most influences climate change in Comarca Lagunera is temperature, with increases in both maximum and minimum values. This situation is accentuating the drought in the Comarca Lagunera, which is supported by the increase in temperature-based indices. Furthermore, precipitation is the primary variable influencing the yield of rainfed maize, while maximum temperature affects the yield of irrigated maize. These results indicate that irrigation is functioning as a climate change adaptation strategy, reducing the impact of extreme weather on maize productivity, which could have a negative impact on water productivity in the study region in the short term.

Maize is considered one of the most important cereal fodder crops. Many studies on morphological diversity in fodder maize have been helpful in obtaining good heterotic hybrids. The current study focused on analysing diversity of 28 fodder maize inbreds with 30 SSR markers, which revealed total of 110 alleles; and their polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.064 to 0.745. Population structure analysis revealed four subpopulation groups with the ΔK value of 132.70. Clustering based on the pairwise dissimilarity coefficient grouped the genotypes into two major and four sub-clusters. The high dissimilarity (0.777) observed between DM 84 and UMI 1221 indicated that these two were highly divergent. Principal coordinate analysis also showed diverse nature of inbreds and corroborated the clustering pattern. Parental diversity and their heterosis performance revealed that parents with average or narrow divergence could be useful in obtaining hybrids with medium/early flowering and moderate/high crude protein content.