ABSTRACT
Use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to analyze corn silage quality

Daniel Cozzolino1, 2*, Alberto Fassio2, Enrique Fernández2
 

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict the chemical composition of corn silage samples (Zea mays L.). Two hundred samples of a wide range of both chemical characteristics and origins were scanned in a monocromator instrument (NIRS 6,500, NIRSystems, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA) over the wavelength range between 400 to 2,500 nm, in reflectance mode. Calibration coefficients of determination (R2 cal) and standard error in cross validation (SECV) were 0.94 (SECV: 0.74%), 0.94 (SECV: 0.54%), 0.91 (SECV: 1.8%), and 0.90 (SECV: 3.8%) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) respectively, dry weight basis. The results demonstrate the potential of NIRS for the routine analysis of corn silage to determine DM, CP and ADF.

Keywords: Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy, NIRS, quality, corn silage, Zea mays L.
1 The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), Waite Road, PO Box 197, Urrbrae, South Australia 5064. E-mail: Daniel.Cozzolino@awri.com.au *Autor para correspondencia.
2 Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) La Estanzuela, Ruta 50 - km. 12 Colonia, Uruguay. E-mail: fassio@inia.org.uy, eferman@inia.org.uy