SELECTION AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR WHOLE-PLANT CORN SILAGE

Abstract

Most corn (Zea mays L.) breeders in North America and Europe have accepted the concept that the best grain-producing genotypes are also the most suited for forage corn production. This paper reviews the available literature related to the selection of corn for forage (whole-plant corn silage). The three primary objectives in forage corn production are (1) high dry matter (DM) yield per unit area of land, (2) sufficient DM content to ensure proper fermentation and high animal DM intake and (3) high feeding value. Current literature suggests that corn breeders should select forage genotypes from corn that produces a reasonably high proportion of final DM as gram. Such types usually yield a high amount of good quality forage with sufficient DM content for ensiling. There is, however, evidence suggesting that selecting forage corn exclusively on its grain yield performance may limit potential improvement in DM yield and quality. Recent literature suggests that selection for high total-plant DM yield, sufficient DM content and high whole-plant quality (high grain content plus high stover quality) may be a more reliable approach to forage corn improvement than selection for high yield of grain only.