Corn hybrid silage quality according to harvesting time

The present study aimed to evaluate the dry matter production of different corn hybrids, the plant chemical composition at the time of ensiling and the participation of the structural components of the plant at the different phenological stages. Corn hybrids P2530, P30B39H and P30R50H were harvested successively at the kernel blister (R2); kernel milk (R3); kernel dough (R4); and kernel dent (R5) stages. We determined the dry matter contents, the percentage participation of each physical structure of the plant at the time of each evaluation, as well as the first ear height, plant height, number of dry leaves, production of dry ensilable plytomass, grain and chemical composition at the time of ensiling (kernel dent stage, R5). There was no difference (p > 0.05) in dry phytomass production between the evaluated hybrids. In general, the hybrid P30R50H, considering dry biomass production and fiber composition of the plant and relative value of the food was balanced for silage. The advance of the stages provided an increase in the grain participation and consequent reduction of the other components in the physical composition of the plant, and the R4 stage was the moment of best association between productivity and physical composition of the plant for silage production.