Investigation of Yield and Yield Components and Quality Characteristics of Some Dent Corn (Zea mays L. indentata) Genotypes Cultivated as Grain Crop under Semi-Arid Climate Conditions

Maize is an important short day cereal with a wide range of uses as a raw material in human and animal nutrition industry. This study was conducted during 2016 and 2017 to identify grain yield and some quality characteristics of dent corn genotypes under semi-arid temperate climate conditions. Twelve (12) dent corn genotypes were utilized as plant material in the study. The research was carried out according to the randomized complete blocks experimental design with three replications. Significant differences were recorded between the genotypes in terms of all traits (except cob length). The plant height ranged 197.90-211.25 cm, with first cob height of 81.24-107.30 cm, cob length of 17.02-19.10 cm, cob diameter of 39.82-50.82 mm, number of kernels per cob of 423.77-590.82, and grain yield of 4650.0-10693.9 kg ha(-1). It was noted that the 1000-grain weight varied between 254.96-348.93 g, hectoliter weight with range of 79.06-89.83 kg hl(-1), starch content in grain between 62.59-69.50%, protein content in grain between 9.22-11.74%, oil content in grain between 2.67-3.98%. The maximum values of plant height and cob length were obtained from the 70May82 variety, and the maximum values of first cob height, cob diameter, grain yield, 1000-kernel weight, hectoliter weight, starch, protein, and oil content in grain were recorded from Kalipso and Samada-07 varieties. Considering these results, it is advisable to grow Kalipso, Samada-07, and 70 May82 varieties as main crops in temperate semi-arid climate of G & uuml;m & uuml;& scedil;hane and surrounding areas of Turkiye.