Journal Articles Published by DTRI

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COST OF CORN (Zea mays L.) SPROUTS AS ANIMAL FODDER

Manuel D. Gacutan, Jr., Florinia E. Merca, Jose Arceo N. Bautista, Rommel C. Sulabo, Arnel N. del Barrio, Amado A. Angeles

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, agronomic traits, and cost of production of 3d, 6d, 9d, and 12d corn sprouts. Corn seeds were steeped for 24hr and laid out in a 12 in x 24 in x 2 in a tray at a density of 10.7 kg/m2. Watering was done 3x daily at 8 am, 12nn, and 4 pm. Production was repeated in 6 batches which served as replicates. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in CRD with subsamples using the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. Trend comparison was used and means were reported as LS means with standard error. Significance was declared if P<0.05 and trend if 0.05<P<0.10 using Tukey’s HSD test. Results showed a significant decrease in DM and NFC contents. Thus, there was a decrease in the DM yield of corn sprouts after 6d due to depletion of stored nutrients over time to support plant shoot growth. The decrease in DM led to an increase in CP, Ash, NDF, ADF, and GE from 3d to 12d due to metabolic interconversion of nutrients. Roots increased progressively from 3d to 12d in terms of length and number and so was the plant height. Leaves started to appear between 3d to 6d with a maximum of 3 leaves after 12d. Lastly, corn sprout production using low-cost technology resulted to an increase in cost per kilogram DM from 3d to 12d due to water usage and labor cost.