Morphological Traits, Yield and Silage Qualities of Some Corn Varieties Under Yozgat Ecological Condition

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine dry matter yield and some quality characteristics of 9 silage corn varieties in the ecological conditions of Yozgat during 2013 and 2014. The experiment was arranged in randomized blocks design with three replications. The corn varieties harvested at dough stage were investigated for plant height, stem diameter, leaf width and height, first ear height, ear length, number of ears, dry matter yield, crude protein ratio, silage yield, lactic, and acidic and butyric acid contents. According to results; mean plant height, stem diameter, leaf width and length, number of leaves, first ear height, ear length, number of ears were ranged between 2.17 and 2.73 m, 17.21 and 23.23 mm, 8.46 and 9.70 cm, 70.46 and 91.17 cm, 10.41 and 14.25, 0.88 and 1.62 m, 26.08 and 35.46 cm, 1.00 and 1.40, respectively. The highest dry matter and silage yield were determined in Arifiye (24.66 t ha(-1) and 89.32 t ha(-1)) while the lowest was in Truva (18.44 t ha(-1) and 76.88 t ha(-1)). Lactic and acetic acid among corn varieties were ranged between 1.504- 2.571% and 0.308-0.691%, respectively. Arifiye and Sakarya varieties showed better performance with yield and silage quality in Yozgat conditions. It was concluded that genotype selection is important in silage corn cultivation.