The Studies on Growth Characteristics and Dry Matter Yield of Hybrid Corn Varieties in Daegwallyeong Region

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of climate change on the growth characteristics and dry matter yields of silage corn hybrids in fields of forage crops of Hanwoo Experiment Station, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, from Apr. 2009 to Sep. 2011. Corn hybrids were cultivated in Daegwallyeong of Gangwon Province, at an altitude of 760 m. Corn varieties used in this study consisted of 5 domestic varieties and 5 foreign varieties. Differences of silk days according to years occurred at an average of 5.5 days. The silk periods of domestic varieties occurred from Aug. 8 to 12, while that of overseas varieties was from Aug. 5 to 11. Silk days of domestic varieties occurred approximately 3 to 4 days earlier than those of oversea varieties. Silk days of Kwangpyeongok and P3156 belonging to the early varieties were Aug. 8 and 5, respectively. Kwangpyeongok and P3156 were Aug. 8 and 5, respectively. Pyeonganok and DK729 belonged to late varieties. The mean plant height of corn was approximately 231 cm, while those of Kwangpyeongok and Pyeonganok were 236 cm and 237 cm, respectively. The mean stem diameter and ear height of corn were approximately 23.2 mm and 94 cm, respectively. In the case of stem diameters, those of Cheonganok and 33J56 were 86 cm and 80 cm, respectively, while Gangdaok grew to a greater height (enter height) than other varieties. Dry matter yields of Kwangpyeongok and Pyeonganok were higher than those of other varieties. The mean leaf ratio of corn was 39.3%, while that of domestic varieties increased as compared to foreign varieties. The average DM yield of corn was 16,653 kg/ha, while those of 32P75, P3156, Pyeonganok, P3394 and Kwangpyeongok were 18,901, 17,997, 17,675, 17,194, 17,188 kg/ha, respectively. Total digestible nutrient (TDN) yields of 32P75, P3156, P3394, Pyeonganok and Kwangpyeongok were 13,381, 12,590, 12,532, 12,140 and 12,036 kg/ha, respectively. Corn crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and TDN were 7.8%, 74.2%, 42.4%, 23.5% and 70.3%, respectively. In the case of nutritive values of corn, there was no significant difference between of corn varieties of domestic and foreign origin.