Evaluation of maize hybrids and composites for fodder yield and ensiling quality

Abstract

There are number of hybrids and composites in maize which are used for silage making by farmers. Theobjective of the present study was to find out the promising high yielding and better-quality silage cultivar. Astudy was undertaken during, Rabi 2019-20 and Kharif 2020 in randomized block design (RBD) with threereplications consisting of 13 maize hybrids and three composites. The African Tall recorded significantly higherplant height (333.39 cm), number of leaves/plant (13.83) and green fodder yield (51.92 t/ha) compared to allother hybrids and composites. While dry matter yield was higher in maize hybrids, P 3401(16.85 t/ha) followedby DMRH 1410 (15.45 t/ha). Crude protein yield (1.09 t/ha) was also higher in P 3401 followed by PMC 6 and P3396 (1.01 t/ha). The pH of silage in all maize genotypes was in acceptable range. NDF content varied from49.48 to 55.11% and 53.19 to 59.39% in green fodder and silage stage, respectively. ADF content variedbetween 24.45 to 28.55% in green fodder and 28.74 to 33.34% in silage. But difference was found nonsignificantfor both NDF and ADF in silage and green fodder. Based on this study, African Tall, P 3401 andDMRH 1410 were identified as promising maize genotypes for higher biomass yield and quality silagepreparation for ruminant animals.