Study On The Nutritive Value Of Triticeae Crops (Barley, Oat, And Wheat) Silages

With adjustment to structure of agricultural industry and development of livestock husbandry, it is emphasized on the utilization of herbage and forage. Although silages of barley and oat have been studied in China, there is less research about effects of the maturities and cultivars on the nutritive value of barley and oat silages; especially it is still a blank about wheat silage.The paper selected two barley cultivars (Xiyin 2 and XizangQingke), two oat cultivars (Dongyan and Xiyan) and three wheat cultivars (Zhenxuan 1, Shangmai 9215 and Xiaoyan 6) grown in Guanzhong plain of Shaanxi province for many years as materials. They were harvested at four maturation stages, which ten days, twenty days, thirty days and forty days after shooting, and ensiled by bagged storage technology and dried by wind respectively. The paper analyzed changes of forage yields, silage nutritive ingredients, silage quality and digestibility of DM (Dry Matter), and discussed the divergence of yields, nutritive ingredient and digestibility of DM, silage quality at different maturations and cultivars. At the same time, it compared difference of nutritive value between silages and hays. The purpose was to learn the change trend of nutritive value and silage quality of triticeae crops with the maturities, to make out the optimal harvesting stage and the optimal cultivars of triticeae crops silage, and to provide basic theoretical and technological guiding for the development of triticeae crops silages. The results proved that:1. The earlier they were harvested; the higher the nutritive value of the triticeae crops silages. The CP (Crude Protein) content was decreasing and the CF (Crude Fiber) content was increasing with the prolonging of maturities. The silage quality of triticeae crops was poor in early stage of maturity and the DM yield was less. Comprehensive considering silage yields, the CP yields of silage, nutritive value of silage, quality of silage and IVDMD (In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility) of silage, it indicated that the barley optimal harvesting date was 30 days after shooting, oat was 40 days after shooting, and wheat was 30 days after shooting.2. Yields, nutritive value, quality and IVDMD of triticeae crops silage were influenced by cultivars. Considering the fresh yields, silage yields, CP yields of silage, nutritive value ofsilage, quality of silage, and IVDMD of silage, it was found that XizangQingke was theoptimal silage forage, next were Xiyin-2, Dongyan, Xiyan, Zhenxuan 1, Xiaoyan 6 andShangmai9215.3.Contrasting to hays, the CP (Crude Protein) content, the CF (Crude Fiber) content, theCA (Crude Ash) content, the Calcium and Phosphorus contents, and IVDMD of silageswere increasing, the NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) and the ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber)were decreasing. So silages can preserve nutritive value of fresh forage better than haysand raise the ratio of the forage utilization.4.Wheat silage was more suitable for ensiling than barley silage and oat silage. Its silagequality was highest, but it was difficulty for development and utilization because its yieldwas lowest among triticeae crops.5.The oat cultivars introduced by the experiment can grow through winter safely atHuang-Huai wheat region. The two cultivars were greatly regenerative, and can be plantedafter summer solstice. Using some idle lands to develop oat silage, not only can release thecontradiction between fresh forage and the season of herbage, but also can take intopractice the double-crop, then it enlarges the scale of breed cattle and increases farmers'incomes...