Since maize (Zea mays L.) originated in central and south America, it requires warm climate conditions throughout its growing season. Growth halts when night-time temperatures drop below 10℃, and the plant may die if temperature reach -1.7℃. Thus, temperature should be maintained between 10 and 30℃ from seeding to maturity. The germination temperature for maize should be at least 8-11℃, whit an optimal range 32-34℃. Since temperature significantly affects the germination rate and period, it plays a crucial role in maize growth. In this study, we evaluated the quantity and feed value of 11 major varieties to determine those best suited for maize cultivation as feed in higher latitude, specifically in Democratic People’s of Republic of Korea, below 38 degrees north. A cultivation test was also conducted in Suwon in Republic of Korea, to assess adaptability in areas south of Mt. Suyang. Among the varieties tested, Shinhwangok2 reached silking the fastest, in 65 days, while Gwangpyeongok took the longest at 75 days. The stem length of all varieties exceeded 230 cm. Gwangpyeongok had the tallest stems, while Daanok and Shinhwangok2ho displayed the highest ear ratios. Dacheongok presented the highest values in both dry matter and TDN quantity, with 31,420 kg/ha and 21,66 kg/ha respectively. Pyeonggangok had the highest crude protein content at 8.0%. TDN (%) ranged from 57-68%, with Hwangdaok reaching up to 68%. Based on these findings, Dacheongok and Pyeonggangok appear to be the most suitable varieties for cultivation in terms of both quantity and feed value.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and productivity of silage corn varieties developed in Korea. Corn cultivation was carried out using the experimental field in the Pyeongchang campus of Seoul National University (550 m above sea level). There have 10 domestic cultivars (Gwangpyeongok, Dacheongok, Yanganok, Jangdaok, Cheongdaok, Daanok, Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ, Pyeonggangok, and Hwangdaok) with one imported cultivar (P1543) which tested as a control, and randomized block design with three replications. Among the 100-grains weight of the seeds, Dacheongok was the heaviest, and the germination rate for each variety was 74.6% on average, while that of Daanok and Sinhwangok were over 90%. Sinhwangok was the fastest in tasseling and silking date. The number of days required to be silking date was as slow as 85 days in Dacheongok, Cheongdaok and Pyeonggangok, and as fast as 80 days or less in Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ and Hwangdaok. The plant height of P1543 was the highest as 344cm, and Hwangdaok and Daanok were short. In terms of the ratio of ears, Daanok had the highest rate of 60.18%, and Jangdaok and Dacheongok had the lowest. There was no significant difference in dry matter content in stover, but P1543 was generally higher in ear and total dry matter content. The dry matter yield was highest in P1543, and the yield of TDN was significantly higher in P1543 and Yanganok. There was a significant difference in the crude protein content of ears and the dry digestibility of stems (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the content of each part or element. Combining the above results, Yanganok was the highest in terms of yield, and Dacheongok, Sinhwangok and Pyeonggangok were also recommended for domestically grown corn varieties in the mountainous regions of Gangwon-do.

The planting date of corn for silage has been delayed because of spring drought and double cropping system in Korea. This experiment was conducted to evaluate agronomic characteristics, forage production and feed value of corn at April and May in 2019. Experimental design was a split-plot with three replications. Planting dates (12 April and 10 May) were designated to the main plot, and corn hybrids (‘P0928’, ‘P1543’ and ‘P2088’) to the subplot. The silking days of the early planting date (12 April) was 79 days and that of the late planting date (10 May) was 66 days (p<0.0001), however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. Ear height of the late planting date was higher than that of the early planting (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in plant height of corn. Insect resistance at the early planting was lower than that of late planting (p<0.05), however, lodging resistance was no significant difference at planting date. The rice black streaked virus (RBSDV) infection of early planting was 3.7% and that of late planting was 0.3% (p<0.001). Dry matter (DM) contents of stover, ear and whole plant had significant difference at planting date (p<0.05). And differences in ear percentages were observed among the corn hybrids (p<0.01). And ear percentages of early maturing corn (‘P0928’) was higher than for other hybrids. Ear percentage at the early planting date was higher than that at the late planting date (p<0.01). DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields had significant difference at planting date, however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. DM and TDN yields at the late planting (21,678 kg/ha and 14,878 kg/ha) were higher than those of the early planting (13,732 kg/ha and 9,830 kg/ha). Crude protein content at the early planting date was higher than that of the late planting. Acid detergent fiber content of the late planting was lower than that of the early planting date (p<0.01), while there were no significant neutral detergent fiber content difference among the corn tested. Calculated net energy for lactation (NEL) and TDN at the early planting were higher than those of at the late planting (p<0.01). Results of this our study indicate that the late planting date (May) is better than early planting date (April) in forage yield and feed value of corn. Therefore, the delay of planting date by May was more suitable for use in cropping system.

Pig slurry (PS) is the most applicable recycling option as an alternative organic fertilizer. The application of pig slurry has the risk of air pollution via atmospheric ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. The zeolite has a porous structure that can accommodate a wide variety of cations, thus utilizing for the potential additive of deodorization and gas adsorption. This study aimed to investigate the possible roles of zeolite in mitigating NH3 and N2O emission from the pig slurry applied to the maize cropping. The experiment was composed of three treatments: 1) non-N fertilized control, 2) pig slurry (PS) and 3) pig slurry mixed with natural zeolite (PZ). Both of NH3 and N2O emission from applied pig slurry highly increased by more than 3-fold compared to non-N fertilized control. The NH3 emission from the pig slurry was dominant during early 14 days after application and 20.1% of reduction by zeolite application was estimated in this period. Total NH3 emission through whole period of measurement was 0.31, 1.33, and 1.14 kg ha-1. Nitrous oxide emission in the plot applied with pig slurry was also reduced by zeolite treatment by 16.3%. Significant increases in forage and ear yield, as well as nutrient values were obtained by pig slurry application, while no significant effects of zeolite were observed. These results indicate that the application of zeolite and pig slurry efficiently reduces the emission of ammonia and nitrous oxide without negative effects on maize crop production.

This experiment was conducted to a comparison of the productivity according to variety and forage quality by plant parts of imported silage corn (Zea mays, L) in Pyeongchang. The corns evaluated in this experiment were 8 varieties (P1184, P1151, P1194, P1543, P1345, P1429, P1443, and P2105) introduced from the United States, Pioneer Hybrid Co. The harvested corn was divided into 5 plant parts (leaf, stem, cob, husk, and grain), and the ratio of each part was calculated using dry weight and the feed value was analyzed. The emergence rate of corn was generally good except for the P1151 and P2105 varieties. The average tasseling date was July 24th and the silking date was July 27th, but the P2105 variety was late to July 28th and August 1st, and the remaining varieties were similar. P1345 was the highest (289 and 123 cm), and P1151 varieties were the lowest (267 and 101 cm) in the plant and ear height. Disease resistance was low in P1184, P1443 and P1429, and P1197 and P1345 were high. In the case of stover, the dry matter (DM) content was the lowest at 19.6% in the P1151 and the highest at 24.9% in the P1429. DM content of ear was the highest in the P2105 (55.5%), and P1184 (54.2%) and P1345 (54.3%) were also significantly higher (p<0.05). The DM yield of stover of P2105, P1429 and P1194 varieties was significantly higher (p<0.05), and ear yield of P2105, P1345 and P1443 was higher. The proportions of each part of plants (leaf, stem, cob, husk, and grain) divided by 5 was high, with 50-60% of the ear(grain+cob) ratio. The ratio of husk and cob was roughly similar, and the leaf and stem part showed a ratio of about 20%. The crude protein (CP) content was highest in leaf, followed by grain. The CP content of the stem was the lowest, and the husk was not significantly different among the varieties (p>0.05). The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content was similar to the rest parts except grain, but the leaf part tended to be lower, and other parts except the stem and leaf showed no significant difference between varieties (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in NDF (neutral detergent fiber) content in husk, but there was a difference between varieties in other parts (p<0.05). In addition, there was a special difference by plant parts for each variety, P2015 on the stem, P1197 on the leaf, P1151 on the cob, P1197 on the husk, and P1197 on the grains with high NDF content. IVDMD (in vitro dry matter digestibility) was not significantly different between stems and grains, but there was a difference between varieties in cobs and husks. According to the results, DM yield of P2105 variety was the best in the experiment, and the ratio of grain was excellent in P1543 and P1345. In addition, it was found that the feed value was higher in the leaves and grains, and the leaf and stem had higher feed values than husk or cob.

This experiment was carried out to study the effects of different environmental conditions and cultivation techniques on productivity of forage corn in central and southern area of Korea on 2017 and 2018. Average dry matter yield of forage corn at 34 cultivation regions was 13,510kg/ha. Forage productivity of forage corn cultivated at actual production sites have positive correlation with cultivation techniques(p<0.01) but not correlated with cultivation environments. Forage productivity of forage corn have positive correlation with seeding techniques(p<0.01) but not correlated with fertilization techniques. These results suggest that practices of cultivation techniques are more important than cultivation environments for increasing the forage productivity of forage corn. Therefore, yield prediction techniques of forage corn in Korea have to be considered the practices of cultivation techniques along with soil and climate conditions.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of waterlogging duration on the growth characteristics and productivity of forage corn at different growth stages under paddy field conditions. Treatments consisted of waterlogging at two growth stages (V7 or V14) for four waterlogging durations (no waterlogging, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours, respectively). The V14 growth stage was more vulnerable to waterlogging than the V7 stage. Among the waterlogging durations, the lodging score increased at 48 hours. The stem height of forage corn decreased with the increase in waterlogging duration at the different growth stages (V7 and V14). Increase in waterlogging duration reduced the stem dry matter yield, ear dry matter yield, and total dry matter yield at both growing stages (V7 and V14). The waterlogging treatments at the V14 stage affected ear dry matter yield more than those at the V7 growing stage. Thus, the management of forage corn under paddy field conditions must be strengthened during early (V7) and grain fill stages (V14). When waterlogging occurs, surface and subsurface drainage should be implemented within 48 hours to control (no waterlogging) the groundwater level and, thus, minimize economic losses due to forage corn damage.

A two-year study was conducted from 2017 to 2018 by the establishment of a test field at Chungju-si and Cheongyang-gun. Plant height, number of leaves, insects and diseases, and fresh and dry matter yields for corn hybrid(‘Kwangpyeongok’) were investigated. Daily average, maximum, and minimum temperature, monthly average temperature, daily precipitation, and sunshine duration during the growing season were investigated. We selected climate-critical factors to corn productivity and conducted an evaluation of vulnerability to climate change from 1999 to 2018 for both regions. In 2018, the dry matter yield of forage corn was 6,475 and 7,511 kg/ha in Chungju and Cheongyang, respectively, which was half of that in 2017. The high temperature and drought phenomenon in the 2018 summer caused the corn yield to be low. As well as temperature, precipitation is an important climatic factor in corn production. As a result of climate impact vulnerability assessment, the vulnerability has increased recently compared to the past. It is anticipated that if the high temperature phenomenon and drought caused by climate change continues, a damage in corn production will occur.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the characteristic and productivity of forage corn varieties sown at the last ten days of May at Cheonan of Korea on 2017 and 2018. Forage corn varieties sown on 24th May 2017 and 25th May 2018 were emerged in 5th and 1st June, respectively. Silking date of forage corns was different among varieties(p<0.05). Stem length of forage corns was not different among the varieties, except Kwangpyeongok(KPA) and Nero IT. Stem diameter of forage corns was not different amaong the varieties. Outbreak rate of black streaked dwarf virus was lower than 3% in all varieties. Total digestible nutrient(TDN) yield was different among corn varieties(p<0.05), which was higher in P32P75, followed by P2088, P31N27, and KPA. The TDN yield of varieties had direct correlation with stem length, stem diameter and ear yield, respectively(p<0.01). Average of TDN in all varieties was 69.8%. These results suggested that forage corn variety with late-seeding adaptability is more important for increasing the productivity of forage corn If harvesting of winter forage crops have to be finished in the middle ten days of May in middle region of Korea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different herbicides in corn-soybean intercropping for optimum growth, yield and nutritive value of forage under Korean environment conditions. Herbicidal treatments were randomly applied over five plots, viz. (1) Control treatment: no herbicide; (2) Alachlor; (3) Simazine; (4) Pendimethalin and (5) Mixture of alachlor and simazine herbicides in RCBD have three replications. Results depicted that treated herbicides exhibited significant effect over control of weeds. Simazine herbicide alone or mixed with alachlor had adverse effects on soybean but enhanced (p<0.05) corn production in terms of survivability, dry matter and digestible nutrients yield. Corn-soybean coupling and total dry matter yield were greater (p<0.05) in pendimethalin. Simazine-alachlor mixture reduced (p<0.05) soybean height. Conclusively, simazine could not be suitable for corn soybean intercropping because of having an adverse effect on soybean component. Pendimethalin could maintain growth and yield of corn and soybean both components. Effect of alachlor was comparable to that of pendimethalin.

Corn is basal forage for livestock species in Republic of Korea but it lacks protein and needs nitrogenous fertilizer. This study was designed with main objective to achieve optimum growth, yield & nutritive value of forage for livestock through implementing corn-soybean intercropping strategy at 17 different places under Korean condition. Two treatments; corn as monocrop (control treatment) and corn-soybean intercrop were compared under Randomized Block Design from 28th May to 8th October, 2015. Each treatment had three replicates in each block, whereas seventeen different places were considered as blocks. Data were analyzed through SAS-9.1.3 software. Difference between two treatment means was tested through T-test. Findings depicted that intercropping pattern could not influence (P>0.05) corn plant & ear height, corn lodged stalk No. and corn stalks number. However, corn-soybean intercropping enhanced (P<0.05) forage productivity in terms of total fresh yield (16.4±0.7b vs. 19.9±0.7a tons ha-1), total dry matter yield (5.38±0.25b vs. 6.41±0.31a tons ha-1) and total digestible nutrients yield (3.94±0.17b vs. 4.59±0.21a tons ha-1). Dry matter percentage in corn stalks and corn ears was not different (P>0.05) between two treatments. It was concluded that corn-soybean intercropping strategy was promising technique in enhancing forage productivity though positive symbiotic relation between two crops.

In attempt to avoid crop damage through wild bird’s picking, this study was designed with aim to evaluate several pre-sowing soybean seed coatings for optimum yield in corn-soybean mixed forage. It was investigated under four cropping treatments, viz. 1) corn sole, 2) corn mixed with soybean without any coating, 3) corn with iron coated soybean and 4) corn with thiram coated soybean. Each treatment had three replicates and corn sole was control treatment. Pioneer (P1184) and crossbred (PI483463 × Hutcheson) seeds were used for corn and soybean, respectively. The trial was conducted under randomized block design from 5th June to 23rd September, 2015. Data were an alyzed through ANOVA technique using SAS9.1.3 software. Results depicted that survivability of soybean against wild birds damage was found better (p<0.05) in thiram coating which was higher than iron coating and control treatment but later on thiram coating had adverse effects on subsequent growth of soybean plants. Corn stalk height was decreased (p<0.05) in thiram coating, whereas corn ear height was reduced in iron coating treatment. Iron coating enhanced (p<0.05) height of soybean plant (p<0.05) better than that of thiram coating. Soybean seed coatings didn’t influence dry matter yield and nutritive value in terms of total digestible nutrients yield in corn soybean mixed forage. Conclusively, although presowing thiram coating enhanced survivability of soybean plants against wild bird damage but had adverse effects on its subsequent growth. However, soybean seed coatings didn’t influence yield and nutritive value of corn soybean intercropping forage

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of rice black-streaked dwarf virus(RBSDV) infection rate on forage productivity of corn varieties in Cheonan of chungcheongnamdo from 2006 to 2008. Forage corn varieties of 10 were cultivated with first cropping(seeding in the last ten days of April) and second cropping(seeding in the last ten days of May) system in field and tested the infection rates of RBSDV and productivity of forage. The Infection rate of RBSDV was significant difference between corn varieties in middle district of Korea. Resistant corn varieties for RBSDV were ‘Kwanganok’, ‘P3156’, ‘Kwangpeyongok’ and ‘P3394’ but susceptible varieties were ‘Suwon19’, ‘DK697’, ‘GW6959’ and NC+7117. Dry matter(DM) yield of forage corn according with infection rates of RBSDV in field was significant difference between varieties(p<0.05). DM yield of susceptible varieties, ‘Suwon 19’, ‘DK697’ and ‘GW6959’ was lower about 20% than that of resistant varieties, ‘Kwangpeyongok’ and ‘P3156’. For increasing the productivity of forage corn, recommend of resistant varieties for RBSDV and control of seeding time are very important in middle district of Korea.