Introduction of tropical maize genotypes to increase silage production in the central area of Santa Fe, Argentina

Abstract

Some temperate areas of the world behave as sub-tropical due to greenhouse effect and the global warming. Therefore, more temperate genotypes show an important decrease in yield and dry matter production as consequence of heat stress. The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of tropical maize genotypes under these climatic conditions and the feasibility of its utilization for silage production. Fifteen commercial hybrids were evaluated, five temperate and ten tropical, for fresh and dry matter production, grain yield, harvest index, plant and ear height, dry matter digestibility and crude protein in a field trail. Tropical genotypes showed a good behavior for all traits, inclusively those related with forage quality. Results attested that it is possible to increase silage production under these climatic conditions by introducing tropical genotypes into plant breeding programs.