Determination of silage performances in different sowing and harvesting dates of maize (Zea mays L.) varieties having different maturity period in the Erzurum conditions

The silage technique and animal feeding with silage are becoming common rapidly in our country. However, silage usage is still not at desired level in the high altitude eastern regions. Because of the high attitude and short growing period in these regions, there are some risks concerning maize agriculture. This research was planned to determine the performances of maize varieties (TC-513, Prestige and OSSK-644) having three different maturity periods in different sowing (15 May, 1 June and 15 June) and harvesting (1 September, 10 September and 20 September) dates in the ecological conditions of Erzurum. The research was carried out with respect to the randomized complete block factorial experimental design as three replications in the years 2012 and 2013. In the research, the effects of applications on yield, some vegetative features and chemical composition in silage maize were examined.Results obtained have pointed out that variety, sowing and harvesting date are important in the agriculture of silage maize in the ecological conditions of Erzurum. The middle-early Prestige variety having 550 FAO group has had the highest silage yield and dry matter yield. Also, this variety consists of high leaf ratio, stem ratio, cob number, stem diameter and dry matter ratio. In this research, the sowings in the earliest period increased the silage yield, dry matter yield, dry matter ratio, plant height and cob ratio. Similarly, the late harvestings increased yields, dry matter ratio, relative feed value, stem diameter, cob ratio and plant height. According to the results of this research, it can be recommended that the Prestige variety be sown on 15 May and harvested on 20 September with the aim of silage.Keywords: Maize, silage, variety, sowing date, harvest date, yield, chemical composition