| Corn is the most important basic feed for pig and poultry farming. Over the last decades the yields of grain maize increased significantly in contrast to steady or decreasing nitrogen fertilization. This fact leads to the suspicion that the amount of protein-which is nowadays lower than commonly assumed.
•A main goal of this project is therefore to reevaluate the protein content and the amount of essential amino acids to check if the data available used for the calculation of feed rations is still valid or if the data needs to be updated.
•The data obtained is used to collect information whether the protein and amino acid content relies more on environmental factors (habitat, climate,..) or on the variety.
Furthermore, the data is checked, if there are Austrian grain maize varieties with significantly higher amounts of lysine, which is associated with a nutritional value.
•Another project aim is the development a valid calibration for fast and cost effective analysis of protein and amino acid content in grain maize by the screening method Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS).
•Moreover, the data can be used for evaluation of nitrogen use efficiency, which is important for sustainable crop and animal production as well as for environmental and climate protection.
Materials & methods:
•Crude protein is calculated (Nx6.25) based on the determination of the total nitrogen content by combustion according to the Dumas principle (ICC 167)
•Essential amino acids (except tryptophan) are analysed by ion exchange chromatography and determined by reaction with ninhydrin with photometric detection ((EC) No 152/2009, annex III.F)
•Tryptophan is determined by HPLC-FLD ((EC) No 152/2009, annex III.G)
•Moisture content is determined gravimetrically by drying at defined conditions in an oven ((EC) No 152/2009, annex III.A)
•NIR spectra are used as a fast analysis tool for protein and amino acids
•The Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is calculated according to a globally used calculation which contrasts N output and N input.
Available results:
•Within the present project crude protein and amino acid content in Austrian maize varieties are assessed and allow a classification of maize varieties.
•These results will be used within Austrian agriculture to select varieties due to their protein contents for cultivation and can be used to optimize the feeding rations.
•Furthermore, the impact of maize on the NUE will be assessed. |