Determination of yield and quality traits of different silage maize varieties in bi̇leci̇k ecological conditions

The study was conducted to determine agricultural and quality characteristics of 18 silage maize varieties (Samada-07, Arifiye, Sakarya, ADA-9510, ADA-9516, ADA-523, AGA, Kerbanis, Keravnos, Kolesseus, Simpatico, Kilowatt, Kalideas, Larigal, SY-Antex, SY-İnove, SY-Gladius ve Dragma) in the ecological conditions of Bilecik during the 2019 and 2020 years. The experiments were arranged in randomized blocks design with three replications. The silage corn varieties were harvested at dough stage and, investigated for plant height, stem diameter, number of leaf, number of ear, first ear height, ear weight and hay yield, crude protein content, crude protein yield, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content. According to two-years results; plant height, stem diameter, number of leaf, number of ear, first ear height, ear weight ranged between 2.98-3.78 m, 1.75-2.76 cm, 11.70-16.53, 1.41- 2.44, 0.99-1.52 m, and 337.89-534.60 g respectively. The highest dry matter yield was determined in Samada-07 (4262,57 kg/da), Arifiye (4086,03 kg/da), ADA-9516 (3634,06 kg/da) ve AGA (3644,14 kg/da), while the lowest was in Simpatico (2503,62 kg/da). According to the results of two years; crude protein content ranged between 6.97-9.84%. The highest crude protein yield was determined Samada-07 (353.64 kg/da), Sakarya (287.80 kg/da), ADA-9510 (288.12 kg/da), ADA-9516 (340.45 kg/da), AGA (294.41 kg/da), SYİnove (285.36 kg/da) ve SY-Gladius (315.44 kg/da), while the lowest was Simpatico (207.35 kg/da). The ADF ve NDF ratios ranged between 29.28-42.69% and 46.65-67.23%, respectively. The mineral content of maize varieties for silage was at a level to meet the needs of the livestock. As a result, it was determined that Samada-07, ADA-9516 and AGA varieties have exhibited superior performance than other varieties in Bilecik ecological conditions.