Evaluation of Yield and Quality Characteristics of Selected Maize Inbreed Lines for Silage Purposes in Turkey.

Silage maize is a very important forage crop for ruminants because of its high energy content. In this study, 50 inbreed lines which were available at the Blacksea Agricultural Research Station, Samsun, Turkey, were selected as parent genotypes. The research was designed according to randomized block design with four replicates. Whole-plant and stover samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude protein (CP), in vitro digestibility (IVDMD) and ash. The data were analyzed with MSTAT statistical program.

There were significant differences among the inbreed lines for the dry matter yield and forage quality. Dry matter yield (602.2-2175.3 kg/da), stover yield (295.0-1285.3 kg/da) and, harvest index (23.73-43.83%) values were recorded for inbreed lines. Acid detergent fiber values were varied for whole-plant (203.8 to 307.6 g kg^-1) and stover (336.6 to 422.5 g kg^-1). Neutral detergent fiber values were varied for whole-plant (430.7 to 576.6 g kg^-1) and stover (557.4 to 729.0 g kg^-1). Whole-plant IVDMD (62.39-74.16%) and stover IVDMD (57.40-69.95%) values were ranged. Maize varieties stovers CP were recorded between 6.29 to 10.54%.

Key words: Silage maize, stover, ADF, NDF, IVDMD.