The experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the agronomic production behavior of the plant and the chemical, qualitative and fermentation characteristics of silage from different corn (Zea mays, L.) hybrids: Agroceres AG-5011, Braskalb XL-344 and Cargill C-806. For the agronomic behavior of the hybrids a complete randomized experimental design was used, and for silages evaluation a randomized block design was used, where the silage utilization period was the blocking criterion. C-806 hybrid was the most precocious with an interval of 100 days between sowing and harvesting, while the XL-344 was the latest with 121 days. The plant phenotypic characteristics determined the production potential of the hybrid. AG-5011 showed taller plants and higher production potential of fresh and dry matter per ha, in relation to the XL-344 and C-806 hybrids. The final number of plants/ha was higher for the AG-5011 and C-806 hybrids. The C-806 hybrid showed the lowest grain proportion in relation to the whole plant. Based on the dry matter and in vitro dry matter digestibility, the silages of the three hybrids are classified as of good quality. Based on the fermentation, characteristics N-NH3/NT and pH, the silages of the hybrids are classified as of very good quality.
ammonia nitrogen; grain; leaves; pH; production of dry matter; stem
