Developing Silage Maize Hybrids with the Cooperation Among Public Agricultural Research Institutes of Turkey

Due to the need for silage maize in livestock sector, its production in Turkey is increasing. Approximately 32% of the total maize plantings area of Turkey is being used to produce silage maize. Although, both public and private sector organizations released new high yielding and quality hybrids, there is still a gap for different hybrids that have high yield potential and good enough for different environments. To meet the mentioned gap, collaboration between national agricultural research institutes which have been working on maize was initiated. Silage maize inbred lines that developed by different institutes were used in hybridization. During hybridization studies, genetic background of the inbred lines and their yield and quality potential was considered. Experimental hybrids and commercial checks were tested in different locations of Turkey. Every year at least 15 experimental hybrids were evaluated in at least four locations of Turkey. Promising hybrids were determined and used for further investigations by the breeders. The first mutual silage maize hybrid, SAMADA-07 released in 2009. This hybrid’s male and female parents belong to two institutions. Another mutual silage maize hybrid AGA is now available for farmers. SASA-5 hybrid also will be released in a near future. In this study, past and present collaborative efforts on silage maize hybrid development by national agricultural research centers of Turkey were presented and experiment results from different sites were discussed.