RELATIONS BETWEEN THE CHEMICAL AND AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS CORN SILAGE IN SOUTHWEST OF PARANÁ STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world, mainly used in feed for ruminants usually provided in the form of silage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of agronomic traits on production of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and net energy for lactation of corn silage. The experiment was carried out in western Paraná in two agricultural years (2009/10 and 2010/11). Maize seeds were supplied by the official institution for the network experiments of maize genotypes for that region of Brazil. The experimental design was used lattice (lattice) with 47 treatments (genotypes) (2009/10) and alpha lattice design with 39 genotypes (2010/11), both with two replications. Coefficients were estimated Pearson correlation of 29 morphological and chemical characteristics. Relations between corn characters for the production of silage should prioritize genotypes with higher proportions of: stem, number of ears and grain yield per hectare, spike mass, number of rows and ear diameter, days to flowering and number green leaves. Of smaller stature plants had direct positive effect on crude protein and neutral detergent fiber.