Agronomic characteristics of maize hybrids (Zea mays, L.) at different maturity stages

Abstract

he objective of this study was to evaluate the production and physical composition of three maize hybrids (Zea mays, L.) for silage production at six maturity stages. The hybrids evaluated were Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with four replicates. The mean plant heights observed at harvest time (2.33 m, 2.45 m and 2.40 m) demonstrated that all materials were medium-sized hybrids. A positive correlation was observed between plant height and height of the ear insertion, varying from 0.86 for the Feroz VIP hybrid to 0.88 for the Maximus VIP3 hybrid, but these two variants had no correlation with the productivity data. There was a significant difference for the production of fresh biomass at the R1, R2 and R5 stages, with Maximus VIP3 obtaining the highest yields. The proportion of grains in the physical composition of plant varied between hybrids, where Maximus VIP3 and Defender VIP (482.2 and 461.7 g kg-1, respectively) were superior to Feroz VIP (429.7 g kg-1). With the advancement of maturity, there was a decreasing linear behavior for stem and leaf participation, with reductions of 3.8 g kg-1 and 4.5 g kg-1, respectively, per day (R2 = 0.79 and 0.80, respectively), quadratic behavior for bracts and corncob and a linear increase in grain participation in the plant structure, with an increase of 7.7 g kg-1 per day (R2 = 0.88). In general, the three hybrids present good characteristics for silage production and permit harvesting in the hard grain stage, allowing the addition of starch in relation to the farinaceous grain stage.

Evaluation of corn hybrids for silage grown in different locations

“…In one of these locations, the hybrid P2866H was harvested with 46.08% DM, which raised the hybrid average to 40.95%, which according to criteria proposed by Arriola et al (2012), exceeds what is considered ideal to obtain adequate fermentation of silage (30-40%). This result was already expected, given that shorter cycle hybrids advance their reproductive stages with water loss more rapidly (Horst et al, 2020a).…”

“…Rosa et al ( 2004) found that higher hybrids with higher ear insertion had higher potential for fresh biomass yield. It's salutary to say that while higher hybrids tend to have higher biomass yield, smaller hybrids have a higher proportion between grains and vegetative fraction, favoring the quality of silage (Horst et al, 2020a). In addition, smaller plants have better support, reducing stem breakage under conditions of denser populations.…”

“…shortage of hybrids with specific qualities for silage production (Horst et al, 2020a). Due to the constant increase in demand for silage hybrids and also the requirement for higher quality materials, they make more information about those existing indispensables.…”

Effects of the Harvest Stage of Maize Hybrids on the Chemical Composition of Plant Fractions: An Analysis of the Different Types of Silage

“…Therefore, when choosing a maize hybrid for silage, earlage or snaplage, the morphological composition of the hybrid must be judged according to its purpose. The morphological data of the hybrids evaluated in this study can be found in Horst et al [17] For reasons that are still relatively unexplored, it seems that the stems of earlymaturing hybrids are less lignified than those of later-maturing hybrids [3,31]. Thus, among the hybrids evaluated in the present study, Maximus has the longest maturation period and presented ADL contents in the stalk ranging from 8.73 to 10.18%.…”

“…The straw corresponds to the vegetative fraction without the presence of grains, which were removed carefully to avoid damage to the ear. The growth characteristics, proportions of each fraction in the plant and its respective dry matter content can be found in a previous study [17].…”