This study was aimed to isolate bacterial inoculants producing chitinase and evaluate their application effects on corn silage. Four corn silages were collected from four beef cattle farms to serve as the sources of bacterial inoculants. All isolates were tested against Fusarium graminearum head blight fungus MHGNU F132 to confirm their antifungal effects. The enzyme activities (carboxylesterase and chitinase) were also measured to isolate the bacterial inoculant. Based on the activities of anti-head blight fungus, carboxylesterase, and chitinase, L. buchneri L11-1 and L. paracasei L9-3 were subjected to silage production. Corn forage (cv. Gwangpyeongok) was ensiled into a 10 L mini silo (5 kg) in quadruplication for 90 days. A 2 × 2 factorial design consists of F. graminearum contamination at 1.0104 cfu/g (UCT (no contamination) vs. CT (contamination)) and inoculant application at 2.1 × 105 cfu/g (CON (no inoculant) vs. INO (inoculant)) used in this study. After 90 days of ensiling, the contents of CP, NDF, and ADF increased (p<0.05) by F. graminearum contamination, while IVDMD, acetate, and aerobic stability decreased (p<0.05). Meanwhile, aerobic stability decreased (p<0.05) by inoculant application. There were interaction effects (p<0.05) on IVNDFD, NH3-N, LAB, and yeast, which were highest in UCT-INO, UCT-CON, CT-INO, and CT-CON & INO, respectively. In conclusion, this study found that mold contamination could negatively impact silage quality, but isolated inoculants had limited effects on IVNDFD and yeast.

Corn silage is extensively utilized in ruminant feeding on a global scale, with substantial research efforts directed towards enhancing its nutritional worth and managing moisture content. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of normal cutting height and elevated cutting height on whole-crop corn silage. Corn was harvested at heights of 15 cm and 45 cm above the ground, respectively, 45 days after heading. The harvested corn was cut into 2-3 cm lengths and packed into 20-liter plastic silos in triplicate. The results showed that dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of C45 were significantly higher than those of the control, while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was significantly lower in C45 (p<0.05). The C15 had higher yields than C45 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield of whole-crop corn silage. The increase in cutting height resulted in a larger change in moisture content and NDF per centimeter. After 60 days-ensiling, C45 showed significantly lower NH3-N concentrations. Moreover, C45 had significantly higher lactic acid concentration, lactic acid/acetic acid ratio, and lactic acid bacteria count compared to the control. Mold was not detected and the yeast count was less than 2 log10 cfu/g fresh matter in both control and C45. In summary, C45 improved the feeding value and fermentation quality of whole-crop corn silage at the expense of forage productivity.

This study was conducted with the aim of confirming the impact and relative contribution of extreme weather to dry matter yield (DMY) of silage corn in the central inland region of Korea. The corn data (n=1,812) were obtained from various reports on the new variety of adaptability experiments conducted by the Rural Development Administration from 1978 to 2017. As for the weather variables, mean aerial temperature, accumulated precipitation, maximum wind speed, and sunshine duration, were collected from the Korean Meteorological Administration. The extreme weather was detected by the box plot, the DMY comparison was carried out by the t-test with a 5% significance level, and the relative contribution was estimated by R2 change in multiple regression modeling. The DMY of silage corn was reduced predominantly during the monsoon in summer and autumn, with DMY damage measuring 1,500-2,500 kg/ha and 1,800 kg/ha, respectively. Moreover, the relative contribution of the damage during the monsoons in summer and autumn was 40% and 60%, respectively. Therefore, the impact of autumn monsoon season should be taken into consideration when harvesting silage corn after late August. This study evaluated the effect of extreme weather on the yield damage of silage corn in Korea and estimated the relative contribution of this damage for the first time.

본 연구는 논과 밭에서 재배한 18개 사일리지용 옥수수 품종들 의 생육특성, 수량성 및 사료 가치를 비교 분석하기 위하여 수행하 였다. 논과 밭에서 출사일수는 조숙종인 신황옥이 78일로 가장 짧 았고, 강다옥이 92일로 가장 길었다. 그리고 논과 밭의 출사 일수 차이는 조숙종(6일)보다 중 ․ 만생종(10일)에서 더 크게 차이가 발생 하는 것을 확인하였다. 간장은 논에서 재배한 옥수수가 밭보다 5~10% 감소하였지만, 착수고율은 10~15% 증가되는 경향을 보여 주었다. 그러나 도복과 후기녹체성은 논과 밭에서의 큰 차이를 보이 지 않았다. 사일리지 사료가치를 증진시키는 옥수수의 암이삭 비율 은 신황옥이 논과 밭에서 55.5%, 47.8%로 가장 높았고, 대부분 품종들은 밭보다 논에서 10~30% 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 이삭길이도 10~25% 감소하였다. 생초수량은 다청옥이 밭에서 65,750 kg/ha, 논에서 33,880 kg/ha로 최고 수량을 보였다. 생초수 량과 유사하게 건물수량도 다청옥이 밭에서 26,910 kg/ha, 논에 서 21,670 kg/ha로, TDN수량은 밭에서 18,040 kg/ha, 논에서 14,390 kg/ha로 최고 수량을 보여주었다. 사일리지용 옥수수의 사 료 가치를 평가하기 위하여 조단백질, 전분을 종실에서 분석한 결 과 논과 밭에서 재배한 품종간의 차이는 보이지 않았다. 그리고 잎과 줄기, 종실을 이용하여 ADF와 NDF 함량을 분석한 결과 잎 과 줄기는 밭에서는 P3394, P1543 같은 수입종이, 논에서 재배할 때는 신광옥, 다안옥 같은 국산품종이 낮을 함량을 가지고 있었다. 또한 종실에서는 밭보다 논에서 ADF와 NDF 함량이 일부 품종에 서 감소하였지만, 대부분 품종에서는 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 따라서 논과 밭에서 재배한 옥수수 품종들의 사료 가치는 큰 차이 를 보이지 않으므로, 배수 관리 등을 통해 생육을 정상적으로 재배 한다면 논에서의 옥수수 수량성을 확보 할 수 있다고 판단된다

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and productivity of silage corn varieties developed in Korea. Corn cultivation was carried out using the experimental field in the Pyeongchang campus of Seoul National University (550 m above sea level). There have 10 domestic cultivars (Gwangpyeongok, Dacheongok, Yanganok, Jangdaok, Cheongdaok, Daanok, Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ, Pyeonggangok, and Hwangdaok) with one imported cultivar (P1543) which tested as a control, and randomized block design with three replications. Among the 100-grains weight of the seeds, Dacheongok was the heaviest, and the germination rate for each variety was 74.6% on average, while that of Daanok and Sinhwangok were over 90%. Sinhwangok was the fastest in tasseling and silking date. The number of days required to be silking date was as slow as 85 days in Dacheongok, Cheongdaok and Pyeonggangok, and as fast as 80 days or less in Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ and Hwangdaok. The plant height of P1543 was the highest as 344cm, and Hwangdaok and Daanok were short. In terms of the ratio of ears, Daanok had the highest rate of 60.18%, and Jangdaok and Dacheongok had the lowest. There was no significant difference in dry matter content in stover, but P1543 was generally higher in ear and total dry matter content. The dry matter yield was highest in P1543, and the yield of TDN was significantly higher in P1543 and Yanganok. There was a significant difference in the crude protein content of ears and the dry digestibility of stems (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the content of each part or element. Combining the above results, Yanganok was the highest in terms of yield, and Dacheongok, Sinhwangok and Pyeonggangok were also recommended for domestically grown corn varieties in the mountainous regions of Gangwon-do.

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of soybean silage as a crude protein supplement for corn silage in the diet of Hanwoo steers. The first experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing corn silage with soybean silage at different levels on rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro. Commercially-purchased corn silage was replaced with 0, 4, 8, or 12% of soybean silage. Half gram of the substrate was added to 50 mL of buffer and rumen fluid from Hanwoo cows, and then incubated at 39°C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At 24 h, the pH of the control (corn silage only) was lower (p<0.05) than that of soybeansupplemented silages, and the pH numerically increased along with increasing proportions of soybean silage. Other rumen parameters, including gas production, ammonia nitrogen, and total volatile fatty acids, were variable. However, they tended to increase with increasing proportions of soybean silage. In the second experiment, 60 Hanwoo steers were allocated to one of three dietary treatments, namely, CON (concentrate with Italian ryegrass), CS (concentrate with corn silage), CS4% (concentrate with corn silage and 4% of soybean silage). Animals were offered experimental diets for 110 days during the growing period and then finished with typified beef diets that were commercially available to evaluate the effect of soybean silage on animal performance and meat quality. With the soybean silage, the weight gain and feed efficiency of the animal were more significant than those of the other treatments during the growing period (p<0.05). However, the dietary treatments had little effect on meat quality except for meat color. In conclusion, corn silage mixed with soybean silage even at a lower level provided a greater ruminal environment and animal performances, particularly with increased carcass weight and feed efficiency during growing period.

The planting date of corn for silage has been delayed because of spring drought and double cropping system in Korea. This experiment was conducted to evaluate agronomic characteristics, forage production and feed value of corn at April and May in 2019. Experimental design was a split-plot with three replications. Planting dates (12 April and 10 May) were designated to the main plot, and corn hybrids (‘P0928’, ‘P1543’ and ‘P2088’) to the subplot. The silking days of the early planting date (12 April) was 79 days and that of the late planting date (10 May) was 66 days (p<0.0001), however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. Ear height of the late planting date was higher than that of the early planting (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in plant height of corn. Insect resistance at the early planting was lower than that of late planting (p<0.05), however, lodging resistance was no significant difference at planting date. The rice black streaked virus (RBSDV) infection of early planting was 3.7% and that of late planting was 0.3% (p<0.001). Dry matter (DM) contents of stover, ear and whole plant had significant difference at planting date (p<0.05). And differences in ear percentages were observed among the corn hybrids (p<0.01). And ear percentages of early maturing corn (‘P0928’) was higher than for other hybrids. Ear percentage at the early planting date was higher than that at the late planting date (p<0.01). DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields had significant difference at planting date, however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. DM and TDN yields at the late planting (21,678 kg/ha and 14,878 kg/ha) were higher than those of the early planting (13,732 kg/ha and 9,830 kg/ha). Crude protein content at the early planting date was higher than that of the late planting. Acid detergent fiber content of the late planting was lower than that of the early planting date (p<0.01), while there were no significant neutral detergent fiber content difference among the corn tested. Calculated net energy for lactation (NEL) and TDN at the early planting were higher than those of at the late planting (p<0.01). Results of this our study indicate that the late planting date (May) is better than early planting date (April) in forage yield and feed value of corn. Therefore, the delay of planting date by May was more suitable for use in cropping system.

The present study investigated effects of antifungal and carboxylesterase inoculant on rumen fermentation with different rumen pH. Corn silage was treated without inoculant (CON) and with a mixed Lactobacillus brevis 5M2 and L. buchneri 6M1 (MIX). Rumen fluid was collected from two cannulated Hanwoo heifers before morning feeding (high rumen pH at 6.70) and 3 h after feeding (low rumen pH at 6.20). Dried corn silage was incubated in the rumen buffer (rumen fluid + anaerobic culture medium at 1:2 ratio) for 48 h at 39oC. Eight replications for each treatment were used along with two blanks. Both in a high and a low rumen pH, MIX silages presented higher (p<0.05) the immediately degradable fraction, the potentially degradable fraction, total degradable fraction, and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) than those of CON silages. Incubated corn silages in a low rumen pH presented lower (p<0.05) total degradable fraction, ammonia-N, total VFA (p=0.061), and other VFA profiles except acetate and propionate, than those in a high rumen pH. The present study concluded that application of antifungal and carboxylesterase inoculant on corn silage could improve degradation kinetics and fermentation indices in the rumen with high and low pH conditions.

This experiment was conducted to a comparison of the productivity according to variety and forage quality by plant parts of imported silage corn (Zea mays, L) in Pyeongchang. The corns evaluated in this experiment were 8 varieties (P1184, P1151, P1194, P1543, P1345, P1429, P1443, and P2105) introduced from the United States, Pioneer Hybrid Co. The harvested corn was divided into 5 plant parts (leaf, stem, cob, husk, and grain), and the ratio of each part was calculated using dry weight and the feed value was analyzed. The emergence rate of corn was generally good except for the P1151 and P2105 varieties. The average tasseling date was July 24th and the silking date was July 27th, but the P2105 variety was late to July 28th and August 1st, and the remaining varieties were similar. P1345 was the highest (289 and 123 cm), and P1151 varieties were the lowest (267 and 101 cm) in the plant and ear height. Disease resistance was low in P1184, P1443 and P1429, and P1197 and P1345 were high. In the case of stover, the dry matter (DM) content was the lowest at 19.6% in the P1151 and the highest at 24.9% in the P1429. DM content of ear was the highest in the P2105 (55.5%), and P1184 (54.2%) and P1345 (54.3%) were also significantly higher (p<0.05). The DM yield of stover of P2105, P1429 and P1194 varieties was significantly higher (p<0.05), and ear yield of P2105, P1345 and P1443 was higher. The proportions of each part of plants (leaf, stem, cob, husk, and grain) divided by 5 was high, with 50-60% of the ear(grain+cob) ratio. The ratio of husk and cob was roughly similar, and the leaf and stem part showed a ratio of about 20%. The crude protein (CP) content was highest in leaf, followed by grain. The CP content of the stem was the lowest, and the husk was not significantly different among the varieties (p>0.05). The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content was similar to the rest parts except grain, but the leaf part tended to be lower, and other parts except the stem and leaf showed no significant difference between varieties (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in NDF (neutral detergent fiber) content in husk, but there was a difference between varieties in other parts (p<0.05). In addition, there was a special difference by plant parts for each variety, P2015 on the stem, P1197 on the leaf, P1151 on the cob, P1197 on the husk, and P1197 on the grains with high NDF content. IVDMD (in vitro dry matter digestibility) was not significantly different between stems and grains, but there was a difference between varieties in cobs and husks. According to the results, DM yield of P2105 variety was the best in the experiment, and the ratio of grain was excellent in P1543 and P1345. In addition, it was found that the feed value was higher in the leaves and grains, and the leaf and stem had higher feed values than husk or cob.

This study was aimed to determine the effects of hybrid and inoculant on in vitro rumen digestibility and rumen fermentation indices of corn silage. Two corn hybrids(Kwangpyeongok (KW) vs. Pioneer 1543(PI)) were ensiled for 100 days with two inoculants(L. plantarum(LP) vs. L. buchneri(LB)) applied at 1.2 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage. Silages were incubated in rumen fluid medium at 39℃ for 72 hours. Both of KW and PI had no difference(p>0.05) on in vitro digestibility of dry matter(IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber(IVNDFD), while application of LB produced higher(p<0.05) IVDMD and IVNDFD than LP. Hybrid and inoculant applications did not affect(p>0.05) total gas volume, ammonia-N, total VFA, and acetate concentrations in the rumen. Applied LB was higher(p<0.05) propionate concentration than LP, while hybrids had no effect(p>0.05). Furthermore, the interaction effect(p<0.05) was occurred in propionate concentration. Butyrate concentration did not affected(p>0.05) by hybrid and inoculant applications, but there was an interaction effect between hybrid and inoculant(p<0.05). Applications of hybrid and inoculant had effects(p<0.05) on iso-butyrate and valerate, without any interaction effects(p>0.05). This study concluded that application of KW and PI has no effects on in vitro rumen digestibility and rumen fermentation indices of corn silage, while application of LB increase the rumen digestibility in both of corn hybrids.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of corn (Zea mays L.) - soybean (Glycine max L.) silage prepared by intercropping method on the nutritive value of the silage, in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, dry matter degradability, as well as milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows. In a couple of experiments intercropped corn-soybean silage (CSBS) was compared with corn silage (CS) and/or Italian ryegrass hay (IRG). Numerically, CSBS had higher crude protein, ether extract, and lactic acid contents compared to CS. In vitro rumen fermentation analysis demonstrated that up to a 24-h incubation period, both CS and CSBS showed higher total gas production, ammonia N concentration, and dry matter degradability compared to IRG (p<0.05). The investigation on animals was conducted in a commercial dairy farm located in Gyeongju, South Korea, employing 42 Holstein cows that were divided into 2 group treatments: CS and CSBS in a completely randomized design. Although no significant difference was observed in milk yield, animals fed on CSBS showed significantly higher milk protein (p<0.05) and milk fat content (p<0.01), compared to animals fed on CS. Taken together, our findings indicate that corn-soybean silage that is cultivated, harvested, and prepared through intercropping can improve the protein content of the silage, and can also enhance in vitro rumen fermentation, dry matter degradability, and performance of dairy cattle.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers allow rapid screening of crop varieties in early growth stages. We developed a modified SNP PCR procedure for assaying SNPs in maize. For SNP marker development, we chosen 200 SNP sites from MaizeGDB database, and designed two base pair mismatch primers based on putative SNP site of B73 genome sequence. PCR products size was from 200 to 500 bp or was not shown in the case of SNP site existing in Korean silage corns. Using previously discovered 16 primer sets, we investigated distinctness of 50 silage F1 hybrid corns including 10 Korean silage corns developed by RDA such as Gangdaok, Kwangpyeongok, Dapyeongok, Andaok, Yanganok, Singwangok, Jangdaok, Cheongdaok, Pyeonggangok, and Pyeonganok as well as 40 foreign commercial silage corns. From cluster analysis, we confirmed that 10 Korean silage F1 hybrid corns were clearly distinguished except for Singwangok, P1395, and several foreign commercial corns, and selected minimum SNP primer combination for Gangdaok, Jangdaok, Pyeonggangok, and Pyeonganok. Therefore, development of SNP marker sets might be faster, cheaper, and feasible breed discrimination method through simple PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis.

This experiment was conducted to comparison study on the productivity for certified varieties of import adaptability of silage corn in Pyeongchang area. Total eight varieties (Gangpyeongok, 31N27, 32P75, 32W86, P3156, P3394, DK 689 및 DK 729) were evaluated. The experimental design was 8 treatment of randomized block with three replications. Corn varieties were cultivated in experimental field of Pyeongchang campus, SNU from 1 May to 2 September, 2015 and plot size was 15㎡. Plant height of 32W86 and ear height of Gwanpyeongok was the highest (p<0.05). Tasseling and silking date was 27 July-3 August and silking occurred after 1-3 day of tasseling. Average day to silking was 92 days and that of 31N27 variety was short (p<0.05). The varieties of DeKalbo Company (DK 689 and DK 729) required more times to silking. Average GDD (growth degree day) of eight varieties was 1,023℃ and P3352 was the lowest GDD. In the trials of resistance evaluation, P3394 was strong in disease, P3156 was the highest in insect. All varieties did not show the lodging and variety of DK 729 showed the highest stay green score (p<0.05). Average dry matter content was 30.77%, it showed higher trend in DM. 32W86 was the highest DM content among the varieties, but there was no significant difference among varieties (p>0.05). The weight per ear was the highest in 32W86 and the lowest in Gwanpyeongok. The ration of ear to whole plant was higher in 32W86 and P3394, but it was not found the significant difference (p>0.05). Average yield of fresh and DM was 59,017 and 13,476 kg/ha, respectively. DK 689 showed higher DM and TDN yield than others, but there was not significant difference (p>0.05). According to results, the difference of productivity was not found among certified variety of import adaptability of silage corn. The varieties Gwanpyeongok, 32W86 and 32P75 would be recommendable in Pyeongchang area for stable cultivation.