Effect of Sowing Date on Yield and Quality of Six Forage Maize Cultivars in Rasht Region

To investigate the effects of sowing date on yield and quality of six forage maize cultivars in Rasht region، a field study was conducted in 2010. The experimental design was a randomized complete block using a factorial arrangement with three replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of sowing date (22 May، 3، 15 and 25 June)، and six maize cultivars (SC 260، DC 370، SC 500، SC 647، SC 700 and SC 704). Results showed that the sowing date had significant effects on forage yield and quality traits. Cultivars had also significant effects on forage yield، protein yield، water soluble carbohydrate percentage، and ash percentage. Results indicate that sowing date of June 15th and cultivar SC 700 for traits including forage yield (dry 28220. 6 kg ha-1 and fresh weight 87017 kg ha-1)، dry matter digestibility (72. 69%)، ADF (11. 98%)، water soluble carbohydrate percentage (32. 97%)، and total ash (6. 81%)، were better than other cultivars and sowing dates.