Green Global
Foundation   Journal
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EFFECT OF VARIETY AND GROWING SEASON ON MAIZE GRAIN YIELD AND QUALITY IN SOUTHERN CHINA (Pages : 47 - 52)

The performances of six important maize varieties were studied in two growing seasons with the aim of achieving maize grain yield and quality improvement in southern China during 2011. The varieties were; Early-maturing varieties (Yinong 103 & Zhengdan 958), Mid-maturing varieties (Denghai 9 & Denghai 11), Late-maturing varieties (Zhengda. 999 & Chao shi 1). The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with six (6) treatments and three (3) replications. In spring Yinong 103 and Zhengdan 958 took 114 days to reach maturity while all the rest matured ten (10) days later at 124 days. In autumn Yinong 103 and Zhengdan 958 took 105 days to reach maturity while all the rest matured earlier at 95 days. Maize grain yields were significantly different (P< 0.05) in both seasons among the varieties studied. In spring Denghai 11 gave the highest grain yield of 10.4 tons per hectare followed by Chao shi 1 (10.1 t ha-1) Denghai 9 (9.8 t ha-1), Zhengdan 958 (9.1 t ha-1), Zhengda 999 (8.5 t ha-1) and Yinong 103 (6.8 t ha-1) respectively. In autumn Denghai 9 gave the highest grain yield of 6.8 t ha-1 followed by Denghai 11 (6.2 t ha-1), Chao shi 1 (6.2 t ha-1), Zhengda. 999 (5.9 t ha-1), Zhengdan 958 (5.7 t ha-1) and Yinong 103 (4.9 t ha-1), respectively. There were significant differences (P< 0.05) in starch content among the six varieties in spring but not in autumn. The protein content of maize grain among the varieties in both seasons was also significantly different (P< 0.05). The fiber content was also significantly different (P< 0.05) in both season but lower in spring than in autumn. There was significant difference (P< 0.05) in both seasons among the maize varieties in all the amino acids studied and leucine levels were the highest of the essential amino acids compared to others. Download