Comparative analysis of silage maize hybrids based on agronomic traits and chemical quality.

Twelve silage hybrids were included in field experiments in Martonvasar in 2007 and 2008 to compare the agronomic traits and chemical quality traits of leafy and non-leafy hybrids. The climatic data for the two ex- perimental years differed considerably. The results reflect- ed the differences in weather conditions. Thanks to the plentiful rainfall in 2008 the hybrids reached their geneti- cally determined height (274.32 cm on average), while in 2007 the average height was only 238.03 cm. In both years a leafy hybrid was the tallest, while the shortest plants were non-leafy. The assimilation leaf area above the main ear was greatest for the five leafy hybrids in both years, with values of 3533.23-4485.29 cm 2 for con- ventional hybrids and 5337.34-8363.36 cm 2 for leafy hy- brids, averaged over the two years. The larger leaf area in leafy hybrids could be attributed both to the larger num- ber of leaves and to the fact that they were broader. The greatest ear mass per plant was produced by Mv Massil (198.66; 320.00 g), a leafy hybrid which also had the greatest leaf area above the main ear. In addition to large green mass (leaf, stalk), an ideal silage maize hybrid should also have satisfactory grain yield. Several of the leafy and non-leafy hybrids in the experiment gave favourable results. In the present experiment the highest starch content was recorded for a leafy hybrid, while the highest protein and oil contents were characteristic of ear- ly maturing, non-leafy hybrids.