ABSTRACT
Effects of different irrigation methods and plant density on silage quality parameters in PR 31Y43 hybrid corn cultivar (Zea mays L. var. indentata [Sturtev.] L.H. Bailey)

Muhammet Karasahin1*
 
The yield and quality of corn silage is related to genotype as well as factors such as climate, soil conditions, altitude, planting time, plant density, irrigation, and harvesting time. This study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation methods (drip, subsoil drip, and subsoil capillary) and different plant densities (102040, 119040, and 142850 plant ha-1) on silage quality parameters of PR 31Y43 hybrid corn (Zea mays L. var. indentata [Sturtev.] L.H. Bailey) in 2011 and 2012 under ecological conditions in Eskipazar-Karabuk, Turkey. Plant densities were significantly different on fresh ear ratio and plant crude protein (CP) yield in both years under study. The highest fresh ear ratio values were obtained with 102040 and 119040 plant ha-1 densities and the highest plant CP yield with 142850 plant ha-1. While the irrigation method × plant density interactions were significant for silage CP ratio in the first year, they were significant on fresh ear ratio in the second year. The highest fresh ear ratio values were obtained from subsoil capillary × 119040 plant ha-1 and drip × 119040 plant ha-1 interactions; the highest plant and silage CP ratio values were obtained from subsoil capillary × 142850 plant ha-1 and subsoil drip × 102040 plant ha-1 interactions. As a result of the research, high Flieg scores were obtained from each irrigation method and plant density. When plant CP yield is taken into consideration, the 142850 plant ha-1 density is more important.
Keywords: Corn, drip irrigation, subsoil drip irrigation, subsoil capillary irrigation, plant density, silage quality parameters.
1Karabuk University Eskipazar Vocational School, Department of Plant and Animal Production, Karabuk, Turkey (mkarasahin@karabuk.edu.tr).