Breeding for Silage Maize for Sustainable Animal husbandry

Maize (Zea mays L.) is not only an important staple crop for millions of people but also an important crop and now emerging as a type of high-energy silage crop.Silage maize continues to be one of the best supplementation options, especially in dry seasons.Breeding for silage also differs from forage hybrids as, for silage, the grain being the richest source of available carbohydrates in the maize plant is an essential breeding goal.Silage maize breeders may need to place greater emphasis on selecting for high whole-plant biomass yield rather than focusing on stalk lodging resistance, grain maturity, barrenness, and high grain yield.Leaf angle and orientation attributes, which account for the suitability of maize plants for high-density plantation, may contribute to enhanced silage productivity.DMY, whole plant digestibility, protein content, and the non-structural carbohydrate content of stover are other important traits to ensure high-quality silage.Cell wall iber in particular highly in luences the nutritional value of forage.Cell wall digestibility and silage traits (cell wall iber content) have been extensively studied as breeding targets for improving the feeding value of the forage crops.1. Relative nutrient yield-Silage yields greatest quantities of energy and protein.2. Reduced ield losses-Losses from ear dropping and grain shattering that occur during corn silage harvest are lower than those occurring during grain harvest.3. Ef icient use of labor-Silage system is more mechanized and less labor-intensive (4). Supplement to fodder-It eases the serious feed shortage experienced in the dry season.5. Ef icient use of land-Better use of land with two or three crops annually.