Criollo Black Corn or Negrito Colombiano (Zea mays L) as a forage alternative in the lowland tropics.

Abstract

Background: Colombia, as well as other Central and
South American countries, has different varieties
of native or criollo corn, which have been used by
aboriginal ethnic groups living in remote territories
since before the arrival of European settlers. These
varieties are used as a source of human food, religious
rituals and other purposes other than animal nutrition.
Unfortunately, in recent years these varieties have
been displaced by improved materials that increase
grain or biomass production. Objective: This research
evaluated the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers
on biomass production of black corn for animal fodder
production. Methods: A randomized complete block
was used with three treatments and four replications
totaling 12 plots of 12 m2 each, where T1 (Urea + DAP)
T2 (vermicompost) T3 (control). Results: Biomass
production was 11.69 kg/ms/m2; 35 g/ms/m2 in leaves
and 55 g/ms/m2 in stem, with an average of 3 ears per
plant; ratio of 14 leaves per stem. Conclusion: there
are no significant differences between the application
of organic manure and chemical fertilizer in the
production of forage; this plant material becomes
an alternative for obtaining biomass for feeding
herbivorous animals in the region and the country.