Cultural Practices Affecting Maturity and Yield of Corn (Zea Mays) for Whole-Plant Silage in Short-Season Areas

The production of corn (Zea mays L.) as whole-plant silage in short-season areas is severely restricted by such factors as late planting, slow emergence, slow early growth, and delayed silking that result from cold, wet soils and low levels of accumulated heat units. Failure of the plants to reach physiological maturity results from early fall frosts. The effects of variations in planting dates, plant densities, fertilizer and manure treatments, weeds, harvest dates, and other cultural practices on the yield and maturity of silage corn are discussed.