Cultivation

Forage use of maize

Zea mays L. subsp. mays (Maize Group)

The direction of maize utilization for silage, haylage, or cornage production, focused on maximizing biomass yield and the energy value of the feed.

In the reference 199 varieties crop Maize, where this is mentioned in the description.

Forage use of maize involves the cultivation of specialized silage hybrids possessing vigorous vegetative mass and a stay-green effect, which ensures the maintenance of green leaves and stems until harvest. Maize is a high-energy raw material due to its high content of monosaccharides, which are necessary for quality lactic acid fermentation, and the accumulation of starch in the grain.

The cultivation technology for forage maize is characterized by an increased seeding density of 90,000–110,000 seeds per hectare. Harvesting is carried out at the milk-dough or dough stage of grain maturity, which allows for achieving an optimal balance between biomass volume, starch content, and moisture required for high-quality preservation.

Forage types of maize fundamentally differ from sweet maize groups in their biochemical composition and technological properties. Fodder varieties are characterized by high starch content, hard grain pericarp, and coarse fibers, which makes them unsuitable for food consumption but effective for ensuring the nutritional value of feed in livestock production.

General information about the subject — on the page Forage purpose.

Sources8

Varieties of Maize mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.