Özet:

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the effects of various boron quantities applied at different vegetative growth stages of maize as foliar application on hay and silage yield and quality in Southern Mediterranean ecological conditions. Methods and Results: Different boron fertilizer doses (0, 4, 6, 8 kg ha-1 disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (ETIDOT-67 (Na2B8O13.4H2O)) applied at early vegetative stages of maize (V2, V4 and V2+V4 as two portions) and the effects of boron on yield and quality prameters of maize were examined. As a result of study, higher silage and hay yields were observed at all boron applications in comparison with control and the highest yields (68.43 ton ha-1silage and 21.58 ton ha-1 hay yield) were obtained at 8 kg ha-1 boron application. Also other boron doses had the statistically similar results. Although the highest yields in terms of application times were observed at boron applications at V2+V4 stages as two portions, the differences between the application times were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We recommend that 4 kg ha-1 boron fertilizer application at early vegetative stages of maize for high silage yield and quality. Significance and Impact of the Study: Limited researches were performed on boron effects on hay and silage yields and qualities of maize up to now. This study revealed that the effects of boron application at early vegetative period of maize. Also, it is expected to be a source for further studies.

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