Examination of some agronomical and quality characteristics of silage maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes which are used or could be used in the Thrace region

This study was conducted over a period of two years, from 2021 to 2022, in the ecological conditions of Kırklareli, with the aim of determining the morphological, agronomic, silage yield, and quality of P2088, Hat1, Hat2, Hat3 genotypes. The study was established with three replications, and each plot was sown in eight rows, spaced 70 cm apart, with a row spacing of 17.5 cm and a length of 20 m. Throughout the study, a total of 31 kg of pure N, 4 kg of pure P, and 4 kg of pure K were applied, and irrigation was performed at appropriate times. The maize genotypes exhibited varying plant height ranging from 261.5 cm to 286.5 cm, plant weight ranging from 728.9 g to 1045.9 g, leaf number ranging from 12.7 to 13.4, leaf weight varying between 143.9 g and 199.3 g, leaf width ranging from 8.58 cm to 10.37 cm, leaf length varying between 89.75 cm and 96.38 cm, stalk thickness ranging from 8.24 mm to 8.57 mm, stalk weight varying between 263.7 g and 388.2 g, ear height ranging from 87.6 cm to 100.48 cm, ear number varying from 1 to 1.5, ear weight ranging from 313.7 g to 467.2 g, and green forage yield varying between 5947.8 kg/ha and 8534.5 kg/ha. In the dried samples, stalk weight ranged from 79.1 g to 98.9 g, plant weight ranged from 270.6 g to 325.6 g, ear weight ranged from 136.7 g to 168.3 g, leaf weight varied between 47.5 g and 61 g, and dry forage yield ranged from 2208.5 kg/ha to 2656.9 kg/ha. The dry matter content ranged from 22.45% to 26.19%, ash content ranged from 8.05% to 9.60%, crude protein content varied between 5.16% and 6.26%, acid detergent fiber (ADF) ranged from 26.92% to 28.15%, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) varied from 43.04% to 46.07% within the scope of the study. It was observed that Hat1, Hat2, and Hat3 genotypes were not promising, while the P2085 variety was found to be the most suitable silage maize variety that can be grown under the ecological conditions of Kırklareli, Trakya region. Keywords: Green Forage Yield, Dry Matter Yield, Crude Protein Content, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Quality Characteristics