Yield potential and selection of off-season maize for silage and grain using GT Biplot under limited water and frost

Abstract

Maize silage has been used as a forage reserve strategy for critical periods or continuous use in animal feed. However, new genotypes and their potential must be identified. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of maize genotypes for silage and grain in one off-season in the midwest region of Brazil, under limited water and frost, and select them for this dual purpose (silage and grain) using the GT Biplot tool. The experiment was performed at Embrapa Western Agriculture in the autumn-winter season of 2021 in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks of six maize genotypes (BRS1010, KWS9606, 1P2224, 1Q2383, BRS3046, and CAPO) with five replications under no-tillage. Silage points were evaluated at harvest when the grain milk line was at ¾ and maize grains at the maturation stage (dry plant). The 1P2224 and 1Q2383 maize genotypes present silage (high green and dry biomass) and grain yield potential. The GT Biplot tool identified the 1P2224 genotype as superior and suitable for cultivation or as a parent in a breeding program in the midwest region of Brazil for silage and grain yield evaluations of one off-season under limited water and frost.

Genotypes maize for biomass and grains of second season cultivation in Dourados-MS

“…Therefore, the information referring to the responses of the productive performance of plant traits for silage and grains, commercial maize and those that are in the development phase in the cultivation in the second crop in the Midwest are restricted (GUIMARÃES et al 2023). In addition, having information from two years of cultivation in the same place and season becomes necessary to confirm or not whether the evaluated characteristics are maintained over the years in the genotypes, as there may be some alteration due to temperature and precipitation conditions.…”