Abstract:

The study was performed in the experimental field in Köprübaşı district of Manisa province in 2014, aiming to determine the effects of 5 different plant densities, 10 cm (15384 plants da-1), 15 cm (10256 plants da-1), 20 cm (7692 plants da-1), 25 cm (6153 plants da-1), and 30 cm (5128 plants da-1), in silage maize cultivars (C-955, Truva, and Indaco) on yield and some yield-related agricultural characteristics. In the experiment designed by the randomized complete block design with three treatments, maize cultivars, commonly cultivated in our region, were used. The yield and quality of silage maize varieties were significantly changed according to plant density and cultivar. According to the results, the effects of plant density on herbage yield, stem ratio, dry matter yield, crude protein content (%), and crude protein yield were significant. Among the maize cultivars, leaf ratio (%), ear ratio(%), and dry matter content (%) were statistically significant. Plant densities had significant effects on silage yield. Thus, herbage yield varied between 3775.4-6900.0 kg da-1, stem ratio between 28.0-32.2 %, dry matter yield between 1267.8-2301.2 kg da-1, crude protein content between 10.3-15.1 %, and crude protein yield between 145.0-300.5 kg da-1. As a result, the best values were taken from 15 cm intra row spacing and C-955 maize cultivar.

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