Temperature and Soil Water Effects on Maize Growth, Development Yield, and Forage Quality

Abstract

Topographical features in the northeastern USA result in different growing conditions between locations within close proximity. Dairy producers demand information on how these differences influence forage maize (Zea mays L.). Three hybrids were planted at two dates and two locations in 1990 and 1991 to evaluate the effect of growing conditions on growth, development, yield, and forage quality of maize. Dry matter (DM) yields, which averaged 16.4 Mg ha−1 at Aurora vs. 14.7 at Mt. Pleasant, NY, in 1990 and 12.7 vs 12.0 in 1991, correlated with DM accumulation at silking (r = 0.86), but not at the eighth‐leaf (V8) stage (r = 0.19). Maize at Aurora, NY, which had higher average temperatures (22.4°C) during the V8 to silking interval than Mt. Pleasant (20.4°C), accumulated more DM at silking in 1990 (822 vs. 678 g m−2) and 1991 (620 vs. 545) because of higher crop growth rates (28 vs. 23 g m−2 d−1 in 1990 and 22 vs. 20 in 1991) during the same length of growth interval. Location did not affect neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in 1990, but the cool compared with warm location had higher IVDMD (765 vs. 747 g kg−1) and lower NDF (376 vs. 397 g kg−1) in 1991. The dry 1991 growing season compared with 1990 had lower NDF (386 vs. 431 kg−1) and higher 1VDMD (756 vs. 717 g kg−1). Apparently, soil water differences between locations in the northeastern USA affect maize forage quality more than temperature differences do.