Salih AKSU, Hamdi ÖZAKTAN, Onur OKUMUŞ, Satı UZUN
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Forage yield, Forage quality, Silage, Zea mays
This study investigated the forage yield and silage quality features of some maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars under Kayseri ecological conditions. The field experiment was conducted in 2019 using a randomized block design with three replications, testing 12 maize cultivars (Simpatico, NK Vitorino, Hiva F1, Kerbanis, 9628 HP F1, Kontigos, Sy Antex, Kolosseus, Sy Inove, DKC 7240, Kilowatt, and Sy Dracma) that have different maturity groups. Measured parameters included plant height (2.54-3.16 m), stalk diameter (23.67-27.83 mm), leaf number (11.63-16.07 leaves), ear number (1-1.07 ears), first ear height (84-151 cm), leaf, stalk, and ear ratios (12.5-16.55%, 44.85-58.45%, and 27.27-40.77%, respectively), green herbage yield (6080-9158 kg/da), and dry matter yield (1912-2638 kg/da). Silage quality characteristics included dry matter content (25.24-31.99%), pH (3.67-4.12), Flieg score (97.36-119.50), crude protein ratio (4.45%-6.34%), neutral detergent fiber (41.16%-48.62%), acid detergent fiber (23.52%-32.17%), digestible dry matter (63.84-70.58%), dry matter intake (2.48-2.92%), and relative feed value (123.20-156.72). As a result, DKC 7240 had the highest green herbage yield, while DKC 7240, Kolosseus, and Sy Dracma had the highest dry matter yields. Hiva F1, NK Vitorino, and Simpatico achieved the highest crude protein rate of silage. The highest Flieg scores were recorded for Kerbanis, Kolosseus, Hiva F1, Sy Antex, 9628 HPF1, and Kontigos, and the highest relative feed values were observed in Kerbanis, Sy Antex, Sy Dracma, Simpatico, Kolosseus, NK Vitorino, and Hiva F1.
Cite this paper: AKSU, S., ÖZAKTAN, H., OKUMUŞ, O., UZUN, S. (2025). DETERMINATION OF FORAGE YIELD AND SILAGE QUALITY OF VARIOUS MAIZE (Zea mays L.) CULTIVARS UNDER KAYSERI ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. Current Trends in Natural Sciences, 14(28), 56-66. https://doi.org/10.47068/ctns.2025.v14i28.004
