ADAPTABILITY OF SOME NEW MAIZE(Zea mays L.) CULTIVARS FOR SILAGE PRODUCTION AS MAIN CROP IN MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

This research was carried out to determine the adaptability cultivars for silage production as main crop. The experiment was conducted at Alasehir county of Manisa province in western Turkey in 2006 and 2007. The varieties tested are Varenne, C-955, AG-92150, AG-92149, DKC-6022, MF-714, Tietar, AG-92148, Mitic, DKC-6610, DKC- 6842, Ada-523, Goldavid, Doge and Vero. Significant differences were detected among the varieties for plant height, number of green leaves per plant, stem diameter, dry matter content(%), dry matter yield and herbage yield traits. Average plant height of maize genotypes varied between 173.6 and 238.3 cm; number of green leaves per plant between 10.8 and 14.1; stem diameter between 2.0 and 2.5 cm; dry matter (%) between 34.28 and 53.70; dry matter yield between 20.95 and 38.54 t ha-1; herbage yield between 39.02 t ha-1 and 82.45 t ha-1. We concluded that C-955, Goldavid, Mitic and AG-92150 cultivars were superior than other cultivars for herbage and dry matter yield traits, respectively.