| Author | Khin, Nge Nge |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AE-89-49 |
| Subject(s) | Ruminants--Feeding and feeds
Corn stover
|
| Note | A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study is concerned with the handling of corn stover to
alleviate the dry season feed scarcity of draught ruminants during
the dry months from January to April.
A nutritional analysis was first conducted to find out the
nutritive values of corn s talks from crops grown at different
population densities. Three different populations were used
27 , 000, 53 , 000, and 80, 000 plants/ha.
Then the stalks were cured and stored with 3 diff e rent methods
standing in the field <Control), cut and stacked on the ground
(Wigwam) and cut and hung above the ground (Hanging-pole ) in order
to find out the most practical and effective way(s) to conserve
them. The cured stovers were again subjected to chemical analysis
to see which method can best preserve the nutrients most
effectively. An economic study was carried out in order to
determine the economics of the curing methods.
Population density may give higher product yield, but it takes
its toll on the nutritive value of the plants. The crude protein
a nd soluble carbohydrate contents in sweet corn and the crude
protein content in b aby corn decreased with the increasing
population.
It was found that all the drying method s produce d the same
quality products. However, the comparative economic analysis
showed that the stalks left standing in the field to dry was the
best, for it required the least management and cost.
After drying and storing for 4 months in the field, the stovers
were c hopped and given to a buffalo and a preliminary observation
of the acceptability of stove r feed was carried out. It was
recorded that the animal accepted the feed a nd preferred it in dry
form, however, the voluntary feed intake was low.
The results of the chemical analysis showed that corn stalks
were higher in crude prote in and nitrogen - free extract when
compared with rice straw.
Thus, if the intake level could be improved by some simple
methods such as supplementation with locally available legumes,
the stovers could b e effectively us e d as an animal fee d during the
dry season when lack of feed is acute . |
| Year | 1989 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Gartner, Joseph A.
; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Waibel, Hermann ;Upasena, Selawa H. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst ( DAAD>,
The Federal Republic of Germany; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1989 |
