GRAIN YIELD AND SILAGE OF NATIVE AND IMPROVED MAIZE ON THE COSTA CHICA OF GUERRERO

Abstract

Corn is the most important crop in the Costa Chica region of the Guerrero State, since apart from being consumed as grain and tender corn, it can also be ensiled for use as feed in dual-purpose livestock systems. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the grain yield and silage quality of native and improved corn genotypes, with agroecological pest management. The genetic material was composed of 6 hybrids and 2 varieties, which were evaluated for grain yield in 2021 in San Luis Acatlán, Guerrero. Fermentative characteristics and bromatological chemical analysis were evaluated through the elaboration of microsilos. DM content, lactic acid and pH showed no differences between corn silages. Fiber concentration showed that the silage of the H-4082 and San Pedro hybrids had the lowest NDF content (average 53.35 %); in contrast, the silage of the native landrace presented the highest ADF concentration. The highest CP content ranged from 9.6 to 10.2 % in the silages of cultivars H-4082, San Pedro, SKW-502 and SKW-507, with no statistically significant differences among them. The genotype with the highest grain yield was the hybrid SKW-510, with 7,408.06 kg. The genotypes evaluated showed good adaptation for the production of harvested grain and characteristics suitable for silage production in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero.