PERFORMANCE OF EIGHT GREEN MAIZE CULTIVARS IN THE SECOND CROP IN SÃO PAULO STATE

The scarce information about the cultivars available in the market discourages the diversification of the genetic materials used for green corn production. In this subject, two cultivars of the same company predominate, corresponding to more than 75 percent of the cultivated area. The objective of this work was to evaluate agronomic performance of green maize cultivars in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in late season crop. The experiments were conducted in Campinas, Mococa and Capão Bonito, São Paulo, Brazil, in March 2009. Treatments consisted of cultivars AS 1592, AG 1051, AG 4051, BM 3061, GNZ 2004, Cativerde, 6B6229V and 6B6277V and a randomized block design was used with split-plots and four replications. Sowing times were located in the main plots and the management level in the split-plots. The plots consisted of six 5.0 m long rows spaced 0.8 m apart. The cultivars showed above 69 percent of marketable green ears. All cultivars showed green ear length and diameter suitable to be commercialized asfresh green spike. Hybrids AG 1051, AG 4051 6B6229V and 6B6277V presented higher percentages of marketable green ears, being good alternatives for green maize production in late season crops.