Evaluation of twelve maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars for silage

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of different maize cultivars for ensiling of the plant. Twelve maize cultivar were analyzed in a completely randomized block design, with three block, twelve treatments and three replication. The plot with three lines of six meters long and spacing of 0.8 m were used in all trials. The cycle of the plants of the planting to harvest varied from 105 to 114 days. The height average differed among (P < 0.05) cultivars, and varied from 182.6 (AGN-3150) to 247.0 cm (AG-122). There was not difference among maize cultivars (P > 0.05) for ear by plant number (0.9 to 1.1), dry matter (33.2 to 38.2 %), ether extract (1.9 to 2.5 %) and neutral detergent fiber (49.1 to 56.2 %). The dry matter production differed (P < 0.05) among cultivar TORK (20.6 t/ha) and the cultivars CD-302 (16.4 t/ha) and TRAKTOR (15.7 t/ha). The AGN-3150 presented lower acid detergent fiber (24.2 %) and higher digestibility (80.7 %). All cultivars presented agronomic and qualitative characteristics for silage production, with TORK and AGN-3150 being the most outstanding.