Effect of Different Modes of Storage on the Chemical Composition and DM Degradability of Maize Grain

Freshly harvested and sun dried maize grains were stored in three different modes, i.e., in bulk (Group A), plastic bags (Group B) and gunny bags (Group C) under the same ambient conditions. Monthly changes in chemical composition, degree of insect infestation and in vitro DM degradability were recorded for one year. DM content was affected with mode of storage and changing environmental conditions during the period of study. EE and starch tended to decline from 4.7 and 61.2% to 3.16 and 31.8% in group A; 3.1 and 36.6% in group B and 3.2 and 39.5% in group C, the differences being significant (P<0.05) with mode and period of storage. CP content (11.84%) was almost maintained upto six months and thereafter it increased to 20.89, 19.91 and 19.25% in the three respective groups after one year storage period. FFA and acidity % was gradually increased from 0.1270 and 0.1660% to 0.4452 and 0.6200% in group A; 0.3764 and 0.6100% in group B and 0.3764 and 0.5700% in group C. IVDMD percent decreased from 56.0 to 46.0, 47.8 and 50.0 in the three respective groups. Protein solubility was also reduced to 22.9, 23.0 and 24.6% at the end of year in the three test groups, the initial value being 36.2%. Thus, it can be concluded that maize could be stored under optimum ambient conditions upto four to five months, thereafter significant losses may start which will be higher in material stored as such and minimum in gunny bags.