Abstract:
This study was conducted to find maize germplasms that provide higher forage yield with a high
nutritional composition. Eight local maize landraces were cultivated with a control variety Badra in Agrotech
Park, Malwatta, Sri Lanka, with all recommended agronomical techniques. The nutritional contents and yield
characteristics of fodder maize were examined at 70, 80, and 90 days after planting (DAP) and the responses were
compared with Badra. The results revealed that SEU17 recorded the maximum fresh fodder yields of 95.71, 79.84,
and 73.14 at 70DAP, 80DAP, and 90DAP harvest, respectively. The total number of leaves and the number of
dry leaves of all maize fodder landraces increased with maturity. The highest number of leaves was observed at
90DAP in SEU17 (14.81) and SEU15 (12.35) had the lowest total number at 70DAP. With maturity, the total
number of leaves and the number of dry leaves of all maize fodder landraces increased. SEU17 (14.81) had the
highest total number of leaves at 90DAP, while SEU15 (12.35) had the lowest total number of leaves at 70DAP.
The dry matter of SEU15 was highest followed by SEU06 and SEU02 at 80DAP. Only the SEU17 had the
significantly highest ash content at both 70, 80 and 90 DAP. SEU16 reported the highest value of Ether Extract
(EE) and Crude Protein (CP) content at 70, 80, and 90DAP. At 70 and 80DAP of harvest, SEU02 and SEU15 had
the greatest fiber content of 27.23 and 30.65, respectively. The two-way interaction between landraces and harvest
stage caused significant (p<0.05) variation in fresh weight, dry matter and CP content. It is suggested that SEU16
and SEU17 landraces be grown forage production under circumstances similar to the current study. Therefore,
these landraces should be used in future breeding programs to generate improved fodder types.
