Effect of Plant Density on Silage Yield and Quality of some Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

This experiment was conducted at Grower Farm in Al-Maamorah district, El-Ghafara, Tripoli, Libya, during 2020 summer season to study effect of four maize hybrids (SC 10, SC 176, TC 310 and TC 360)as main plots and three maize plant densities, i.e. 166667, 83333 and 55555 plants/ ha as sub plots in a split plot design with three replicates on silage yield and quality. Results showed that SC 10 had the tallest plants (183.03 and 210.93 cm) and stalk diameters (21.08 and 24.46 mm) at 55 and 90 DAS, leaf/ stem ratio (59.06%), number of ears/ plant (1.21) and total dry forage yield (17.059 t/ ha) at 90 DAS. However, single crosses studied were significantly surpassed in leaf area index, number of leaves/ plant and total dry forage yield at 55 DAS, besides protein yield. The highest plant density (166667 plants/ ha) produced maximum plant height and total dry forage yield at 55 and 90 DAS, maximum L.A.I. at 55 DAS. Conversely, the lowest plant density (55555 plants/ ha) produced thicker stalks and highest plant dry weight at 55 and 90 DAS and highest leaf/ stem ratio, protein yield and number of ears/ plant. Interaction between the two factors studied pointed out that sowing SC 10 at 166667 plants/ ha produced the tallest plants and highest total dry forage yield at 55 and 90 DAS, and LAI at 55 DAS. However, sowing the same hybrid at the lowest plant density showed thicker stalks at 55 and 90 DAS, number of leaves and ears/ plant.