Biomass yield, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of maize leaves defoliated at different times

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of defoliation time on productivity maize, forage and in vitro digestibility maize leaves (ML). The response grain yield, plant height, days 50% silking, ear height leaf yield as well chemical composition ML variety "Obasuper" were evaluated a randomized complete block design with four treatments 3, 6, 9 weeks after planting (WAP) undefoliated treatment replicated times. Results showed that defoliating at WAP beyond did not have any significant (P>0.05) other components maize. Grain averaged 2778.35 975.74 DM kg/ha respectively. DM, crude protein (CP) fibre fractions contents varied significantly (P<0.05) among defoliated having CP content 12.6%. Ether extract ash affected by time. decreased increase ranging from 59.2 66.4%. IT concluded can produce high quality quantity when wihout anyadverse