Maize genotypes with forage potential for rainfed conditions in the state of Guerrero, Mexico

The development of maize genotypes (Zea mays L.) for forage production in rainfed conditions is incipient, because no specific varieties have been disseminated for this purpose. The objective was to identify hybrids with forage potential for rainfed conditions in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. 25 maize genotypes were evaluated under rainfed conditions, under an experimental design of randomized complete blocks with three replications. The experimental unit consisted of four furrows 5 m long, 0.8 m wide between furrows, 0.17 m between plants to obtain a population density of 73 529 ha plants. It was fertilized with the formula 120N-60P-00K. The characters studied were: plant height, cob height, plant weight, cob weight, yield of green, grain and dry fodder. The results indicated highly significant differences in the characters studied. Experimental trilinear hybrids H-H562xHCF2-91, H-H565xHCF2-91, H-H516xHCF2-91, simple cross hybrid 329x97 and control H-564C stood out in green forage yield and single cross hybrids 1275x1277, 1278x1276, hybrids Experimental H-H516xHCF2-91 and H-H565xHCF2-91 expressed higher dry forage yield.