Using the kernel milk line for harvesting corn for silage

사일리지용 옥수수의 수확기 결정을 위한 옥수수 낱알의 밀크라인 이용

We use a variety of methods to determine the optimum time for havesting corn for silage. In addition, adequate dry matter for silage must be considered along with maturity stage. The objective of this study was to evaluate using the kernel milk line to determine when to harvest com for silage in 1992 on the Livestock Experimental F m , Keiymung Junior College at Keongsan, Keongsangbukdo. Four hybrids were field grown and com plants were harvested at various stages of kernel development so that kemel milk line movement could be analyzed whilc the corn was in the premature stages. As the plants approached maturity, the ears were collected from each of the hybrids and the position of the milk line wa5 noted. Then the whole plants were chopped and the content of DM was determined. The milk line was a readily identifiable feature of maturing com kemels. We focused on the five development \tage\. The fint was "soft dough". The second was "dent". The third wa, "75% milk". and the fourth wa5 "half milk". The half milk occurs when the milk line is positioned falf way down the kemel face. and the final stages win "no milk", milk disappearance as indicators of physiological maturity in maix. Milk free stage of the kemel occurred from I to 3 days prior to black layer having developed. The range for harvesting com for silage occurs a kemels mature from 75% milk to no milk. Position of milk line was easy to see. and can be used as a visible indicator to determine com matunty stage\ and whole plant dry matter. Whole plant dry matter increased with advancing maturity. averaged over hybrids it was 24.1, 25.6. 28.5. 34.6 and 39.0% at soft dough, dent, 75% milk. half milk and no milk. Milk line was more usehl indicator in monitoring corn maturity prior to physiological maturity.ing corn maturity prior to physiological maturity.