Forage Value of Some Popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) Genotypes

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine forage yield and yield characteristics of some popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) genotypes and find out the using possibilities of popcorn as a feed material. Study was carried out during the second crop growing season under Sanliurfa, Turkey climatic conditions in 2017. The experiment was designed complete randomized blocks design with three replicates. In the research 13 popcorn new genotypes were used as a crop material. In the study, tassel flowering duration values ranged from 52.0 day to 58.0 day, plant height from 161.23 cm to 210.20 cm, leaf number from 11.16 to 13.90 number ear-1, stem diameter from 21.12 mm to 25.39 mm. Also, another characteristic such as height of fist ear value values were between 74.1 cm and 111.4, biomass yield between 5092.9 kg da-1 and 8069.28 kg da-1. Dry matter yield values varied from 1812.28 to 3333.54 kg da-1, harvest index from 17.72% to 41.64%. When the plant height, biomass yield and dry matter yield values evaluated together for forage value of popcorn genotypes it was determined that 5YTR1305, AYCİN R-997, KUM1347 and 235EAD05 popcorn genotypes was found better than others. It was observed that biomass yield in popcorn plant reached 8 tons da-1 and dry matter yield over 3 tons da-1. It has been seen that popcorn can be used as a feed source for livestock animals.