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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (11): 228-240.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023499

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Selection and multi-trait evaluation of silage maize varieties suitable for cultivation in the Qiqihar area

Zhong-juan ZHANG1(), Xi-yu HAO1, Xue WANG1(), Feng LI2(), Wen-long LI2   

  1. 1.Heilongjiang Feihe Dairy Co. ,Ltd. ,Beijing 100015,China
    2.Institute of Grassland Research,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Key Laboratory for Model Innovation in Forage Production Efficiency,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,Hohhot 010010,China
  • Received:2023-12-27 Revised:2024-02-05 Online:2024-11-20 Published:2024-09-09
  • Contact: Xue WANG,Feng LI

Abstract:

With the development of animal husbandry around the city of Qiqihar in Heilongjiang Province, it is urgent to identify silage maize (Zea mays) varieties that are suitable for cultivation in this area to support sustainable development. In this study, 15 maize varieties, including common maize, fresh corn, grain and feed maize, and silage maize were cultivated in a field experiment. Indexes including the growth period, agronomic traits, yield, and nutritional components were measured, and a comparative evaluation using grey relational analysis was conducted to rank the cultivars in terms of their overall production performance. The number of days from sowing to harvest (when the kernel milk line was between 1/2 and 3/4) in the 15 maize varieties ranged from 119 to 134 days, with Jingke silage 932, Jingke 968, and Xianda 304 maturing later than the other 12 varieties. Among all the tested varieties, Jingke silage 932 had the highest values for plant height, ear height, number of green leaves, and ear length. Jingke waxy 768 had the largest stem diameter (3.05 cm). Xianyu 1506 had the shortest ear bald tip length (0.85 cm). The fresh weight yields of Xianda 511, Xianyu 1506, Heyu 321, and Jingke silage 932 were higher than 60 t·ha–1; and the dry matter yields of Lihe 328 (21.42 t·ha–1), Xianyu 1506 (20.59 t·ha–1), Heyu 321 (20.13 t·ha–1), and Xianda 511 (19.84 t·ha–1) were significantly higher than those of the other varieties except Xianda 304 and Jingke silage 932 (P<0.05). The starch content was significantly higher in Xianyu 1506 (34.79%) and Xianda 511 (33.96%) than in the other varieties (P<0.05). Xianda 304 had the lowest contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber; and Xianda 205 had the highest crude protein content (7.44%). According to the results of a comprehensive comparative analysis using grey relational analysis, Xianda 511 and Xianyu 1506 had the highest comprehensive score, demonstrating the best overall production performance. Therefore, these two varieties are recommended as silage maize suitable for cultivation in the third temperature zone of Qiqihar.

Key words: silage maize, agronomic character, yield, nutritional quality, grey relational analysis