Abstract: In order to select the best corn variety for silage material, ten candidates have been studied: Jingke Silage 301, Nongda 108, Gandan 2, Dafeng 3, Yihuang Dan 4, Yayu 8, Xianyu 335, Zhengdan 958, Yayu 26 and Huayu 8 (control). The corn was planted in the Zengcheng Experimental Field of South China Agricultural University and their dry matter yield, nutrient composition and silage fermentation quality were evaluated at the dough stage. Results were as follows: 1) There were significant differences in dry matter yield (P<0.05) and digestibility (P<0.01) among the varieties. All the tested varieties scored higher than the control (Huayu 8), with Yayu 8 having the highest dry matter yield (14.30 t/ha) and Jingke Silage 301 the highest dry matter digestibility (78.15%). The relative feeding value (RFV) of the varieties showed significant differences (P<0.05). The RFV of Jingke Silage 301 was 123.52, 17.90% higher than the control (P<0.05), while the scores for Zhengdan 958, Gandan 2, Xianyu 335, Yayu 8 and Nongda 108 were higher than the control. 2) The dry matter (DM), crude ash and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) contents also presented significant differences (P<0.05). The DM contents of the tested varieties were higher than the control, with Yayu 26, Dafeng 3, and Yayu 8 up to 40% higher. Yayu 26, Dafeng 3, Nongda 108 and Yayu 8 had higher NFE contents than the control (65.31%, 63.94%, 63.38% and 62.17% respectively). There were no significant differences between the varieties for crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber contents (P>0.05). 3) The amounts of lactic acid bacteria and fungi on plants were significantly different among the varieties (P<0.05). Lactic acid bacteria on Zhengdan 958 exceeded 10⁶ cfu/g of fresh matter (FM), higher than the other varieties. 4) There were significant differences in silage pH values, lactic acid and propionic acid contents among the varieties (P<0.05). Huayu 8 (control) had the lowest pH value (3.63) and the highest content of lactic acid (9.16% DM), while Yayu 8 had the highest pH value (4.22). There were no significant differences in butyric acid content between the varieties (P>0.05). Butyric acid was not detected in the silage of Zhengdan 958 and Yayu 8. NH₃-N contents were significantly different among the varieties (P<0.01), with Yayu 8, Zhengdan 958 and Dafeng 3 8.81%, 10.04% and 10.61% lower than the control. Based upon yield, nutrition composition and silage fermentation quality, Yayu 8 is the best variety for planting in the Guangzhou area as an ensiling material.