Effects of plant density on silage yield and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) varieties

This study was carried out in the experimental field of at Köprübaşı district of Manisa province in 2014, aiming to determine the effects of 5 different plant densities 10 cm (15384 plants/da ) 15 cm ( 10256 plants / da ) 20 cm (7692 plants / da ) 25 cm ( 6153 plants / da ) 30 cm ( 5128 plants / da ) in variety of silage Maize ( C-955, Truva and Indaco ), yield and yield related some agricultural characteristics. In experiment designed by "Randomized Complete Block Design" (RCBD ) with three replications, maize varieties were used which are commonly cultivated in our region. For the purpose of silage grown yield and quality of maize cultivars were significantly changed according to plant density and variety. According to the results of study, the effects of plant density on herbage yield, stem ratio, dry matter yield, crude protein content ( % ) and crude protein yield were significant, however, the effects of plant density on plant height, number of ear, ear length and ear diameter were not significant. Among the maize varieties of number of leaves, leaves content %, ear ratio and dry matter content ( % ) were statistically significant. Significant effects of plant densities on silage yield; herbage yield varied between 3775,4-6900,0 kg/da; stem ratio between 28,0- 32,2 %, dry matter yield between 1267,8-2301,2 kg/da; crude protein ratio between 10,3-15,1 % and crude protein yield between 145,0-300,5 kg/da. As a result, from 15 cm intrarow spacing and C-955 maize variety were taken best values.