Evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of forage corn under different irrigation systems

One of the suitable approaches to shorten the growing season and increase the qualitative and quantitative performance of the forage corn is to use modern irrigation systems and transplantation. In this research, transplanting and direct sowing were evaluated on two sowing dates (on time and delay) in the Chahartakhteh research station. The study has conducted in three experiments for two years. Each experiment was performed based on the split plot as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Qualitative characteristics, including ear yield, bush height, ear formation height, and protein content have been measured at the end of any farming season. The results showed no significant difference in ear yield among three irrigation systems (tape, sprinkler, and surface irrigation systems). Ear yield in the first sowing date was more than the second sowing date (delayed sowing date) and in the transplanting method was more than the seeding method. Bush height also showed no significant difference among the three studied irrigation methods. The maximum bush height was 228.6 and 227.1 cm, respectively in July sowing date and direct sowing. Ear formation height was similar to bush height in all irrigation methods, sowing date and sowing method. The maximum protein content was 9.8% in the sprinkler irrigation method. The results indicated that the protein content and Ear yield of the July sowing date were significantly different from the June sowing date, and it had no significant difference in direct sowing and transplantation than protein content.