EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS ON SILAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOME CORN CULTIVARS GROWN IN SECOND CROP SEASON UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION OF CENTRAL ANATOLIA, TURKEY

Abstract

Silage corn has an important potential as second crop under irrigated lands of semi-arid regions. This research was conducted to determine silage yield and quality of some corn cultivars (Ada, Cadiz, Donana, Sagunto and Sakarya) grown after barley harvest using different sowing methods (direct and conventional) in 2014 and 2015 years in Eskisehir Plain. Investigated parameters were significantly different between years except for leaf ratio and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. In the first year, plant height, fresh forage yield, and Fleig point were higher than the second year but dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, cob ratio and pH were contrarily higher in the second year. Sowing method significantly affected all parameters except leaf ratio. Using direct sowing method increased cob ratio (40.3 %), dry matter (22.93 %), crude protein content (7.56 %), pH (3,76) and Fleig score (85.82) compared to conventional sowing method. Cultivars significantly varied in terms of plant height, cob ratio, dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, pH, and Fleig point. Considering the total silage yield and quality the domestic cultivar Ada, which seeds are common in the market, could be suggested after barley harvest for second crop production as long as sown conventionally in irrigated lands of Central Anatolia.