Determination of yield and quality traits of different silage maize varieties in Bilecik 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. The fragmented plant samples were filled in 2 kg plastic drums in 3 repetitions and stored at 25±2 °C. Physical quality characteristics, Flieg score, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid content, pH level, dry matter content, crude protein content, condensed tannin content, acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF), neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF), relative feed value (NYD), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents were determined. Silage yields of the varieties were 5665.43 kg/da (Kalideas) 9971.30 kg/da (Sakarya), Flieg score 46.52-98.59, crude protein ratio 6.45% (Samada-07) – 8.95 (Ada-9510), relative feed value varied between 82.79-137.19. The highest lactic acid was from Arifiye (3.316), Sakarya (2.636%), Larigal (3.064%), Sy-Gladius (3.062%), and Dekalp 6308 (3.154%) varieties. The mineral content of the silages was at a level to meet the needs of the animals. As a result, it was determined that silages made from Arifiye, Sakarya, Larigal, Sy-Antex, Sy-Gladius, PR31G98, P9027, and Dekalp varieties outperformed other corn varieties in Bilecik ecological conditions. Keywords: Silage Maize, Variety, Morphological, Hay Yield, Quality, Bilecik