Influence of ear stripping and stalk harvesting time on main nutrient components of sweet corn stalks

In the present study, the influence of ear stripping and stalk harvesting time on main nutrient components of sweet corn stalks were investigate using the 2 Zea mays cultivarsSBS903 and Krispy King. SBS903 sweet corn stalks harvesting from the day of ear stripping to the seventh day after ear stripping, the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), acid detergent lignin(ADL), crude protein, crude fat, calcium, and phosphorus decreased whereas the contents of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and total sugars increased. The contents of NDF, ADF, ADL, crude ash, crude fat, and calcium in SBS903 sweet corn stalks increased with the postpone of harvest whereas the contents of crude protein, phosphorus, WSC, and total sugars decreased. The Krispy King sweet corn stalks had similar nutrition content variations with the above SBS903. These results suggested that the nutritive value of sweet corn stalks increased with the postpone of harvest time after ear stripping, and the nutritive value of sweet corn stalks decreased with the postponement of ear stripping or stalk harvesting when physiological conditions were similar.