Screening of middle and early maturing silage maize varieties in central Gansu
[Objective]In order to identify silafe maize varieties with high production performance.[Method]The agronomic characteristics and grass yield of nine mid-early maturing silage maize varieties (Huamei 2,Lihe 228,Litan 656,Dajing Jiu26,Jingke Silage 932,Wuke silage 107,Simon silage 707,Yu Silage 23,Meng Silage 1812) in central Gansu were studied.[Result]Yu silage showed rapid growth and development with good plant height,ear height and leaf number. In 2020 and 2021,fresh grass yield was the highest 140.95 t/hm² and 79.13 t/hm²,respec-tively,and reached the best harvest time of silage corn. Although Simon Silage 707 had fewer leaves,shorter leaves and wider leaves,it had more leaves on ear and thicker stalks than the rest of the varieties. The fresh grass yields was 115.4 t/hm² in 2020,but the fresh grass yield was only 56.6 t/hm² in 2021 due to drought. Simon Silage 707 met the best harvest time of silage corn in both years.[Conclusion]The results showed that Yu Silage 23 and Simon silage 707 were suitable for planting in central Gansu province and could be used as double crops of autumn sowing trials.