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Effect of the Brown Midrib-Allele on Maize Silage Quality and Yield¹

High digestible dry matter yield is desired by maize (Zea mays L.) silage producers. The brown midrlb-3 mutant (bm₃) improves the digestibility of maize stover but reduces grain and fodder yields of homozygous bm₃ genotypes. Our objective was to estimate the relative genetic potential for improvement of silage quality and yield in bm₃ and normal maize populations. A total of 130 bm₃ and normal 130 S₁ lines were developed from three populations segregating for the bm₃ allele. All 260 $1 lines were evaluated at two Minnesota locations in 1978. In 1979, 64 bm₃ 64 normal S₁ lines, and 24 bm₃ and 24 normal S₁ x S₁ hybrids were evaluated at three locations.The bm₃ genotypes averaged 77% of the grain yield, 90% of the stover yield and 84% of the fodder yield of the normal genotypes. Some bm₃ genotypes produced as much stover as the best normal genotypes. However, no bm₃ genotypes produced as much grain or fodder as the best normal genotypes. The normal genotypes yielded 16% more digestible dry matter than the bm₃ genotypes. Estimates of genetic variability and predicted genetic gain for digestible dry matter yield were similar for bm₃ and normal populations. Even though bm₃ germplasm offers a substantial advantage in stover digestibility, our results indicate normal populations of maize may offer more potential for silage breeding programs.

Key Words: Digestibility • Digestible dry matter yield • Predicted genetic gain • Stover yield • Zea mays L.

² Research scientist, Asgrow Seed Co., 634 Lincoln Way East, Ames, IA 50010 (formerly graduate research assistant, Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Univ. of Minnesota); professor, Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Univ. of Minnesota, 1509 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108; and research agronomist, USDA-ARS and professor, Univ. of Minnesota.

Received for publication April 2, 1982.

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