New varieties on NIABs list
New varieties on NIABs list
THE new descriptive list of forage maize varieties published by NIAB includes three new early and six new medium-early varieties.
The new-style list comprises two sections – early maturing and medium-early varieties, and each is split into first or second choice categories ranked on dry matter content (see Livestock, Aug 15).
New varieties added to the early maturing table, joining the 20 already listed as first choice, include Aral and Goldis. The latter has the highest yield of all first choice early varieties and good early vigour. Aral has high yields, good early vigour, and a good standing power rating, explains NIABs head of forage trials, Jim McVittie.
The other new early, Scarlet, is later than Aral and Goldis – with a DM content similar to established variety Folio, but Scarlet has higher yields and better early vigour.
New varieties in the medium-early category include Amoco and Animo – similar DMs to Eviva and slightly higher yields. Of these two newcomers, Animo has the better cob ripeness score. Also new are Ilias and Amon – both are later maturing than Energy. Ilias has the highest yields of all varieties on the medium early list, and has good early spring vigour. Both are tall at harvest but have good standing power, says Dr McVittie. Cob ripeness of Amon is low, even for a medium-early.
LG2187 and Manatan have similar DMs to Agio, but slightly lower yields. Manatan has good early vigour, resistance to lodging and early cob maturity. LG2187 is higher yielding than Manatan.