In Situ Digestibility of Residue Parts of Corn Planted in Different Populations and Row Widths

Plant density can be changed by altering row width and/or number of plants within a row. The use of narrower rows at seeding may increase yield and reduce plant-toplant competition. Corn seeds were planted at 2 row widths (15 and 30- inch rows) and 3 plant populations (25,200, 35,000 and 54,000 seeds / acre). Samples of corn residue were collected 4 dates (October 8, October 24, November 5 and November 19) postharvest and separated into cob, stem, leaf and husk to determine changes in quality over time. Th e greatest plant population increased the NDF content and NDF digestibility of husk, NDF and true digestibilities of cob, NDF content of stem, and decreased the true digestibility of the stem. The NDF content of the leaves and stem increased over time while the NDF and true digestibilities of cob decreased over time. Row width did not affect the corn residue. Planting densities and management strategies can affect the digestibility of leaf and husk and may impact residue quality