Effects of defoliation on whole-plant maize characteristics as forage and energy crop

Hail affects yield and quality of maize crops, and consequences also depend on the growth stage at which the injury occurred. Whole‐plant maize ( WPM ) silage is often used within the same farm for cattle feeding and biogas production. The present study aimed to verify the effects of hail damage, simulated by artificial defoliation, on yield and chemical and nutritional features, as well as on biochemical methane potential ( BMP ) of maize...