Evaluation of milk yield, agronomic traits, and nutritional quality of different green-feeding maize varieties in Gansu Province

‘The yield of milking stage, agronomic traits, and nutritional quality of 20 green-feeding maize (Zea mays) varieties planted in rainfed (Huining, Gansu) and irrigated areas (Wuwei, Gansu) were evaluated to provide a theoretical basis for the screening and planting of high-quality green-feeding maize varieties in different regions of Gansu. The dry weight of all green-feeding maize varieties planted in the irrigation area was higher than that of those in rainfed area. The dry weight of ‘Yuqingzhu 23’ in the rainfed area was the highest and 73.28% higher than that of ‘Jindan 73’. The dry weight of ‘Yuyu 22’ in the irrigation area was higher than that of other varieties. The panicle traits (length, diameter, and weight) of ‘Longdan 10’ and ‘Shuyu 201’ were more prominent than those of other varieties (P < 0.05) in the rainfed and irrigation area, respectively. In the rainfed area, ‘Yanke 288’ had the highest starch content and its neutral detergent fiber content was 80.86% lower than that of ‘Tunyu 168’, while the crude protein content of ‘Guiqingzhu 1’ was higher than that of other varieties. In the irrigation area, the starch content of ‘Jindan 73’ was higher than that of other varieties and the neutral detergent fiber content was 53.29% lower than that of ‘Lidan 295’, while the crude protein content of ‘Beinongqingzhu 208’ was the highest. The grey correlation analysis showed that ‘Shuyu 201’, ‘Yuyu 22’, and ‘Yanke 288’ had the best comprehensive performance in the rainfed area and were suitable for planting in the rainfed area. However, the comprehensive performance of ‘Jindan 73’ and ‘Shuyu 201’ was the best in the irrigation area.