Screening of Suitable Corn Varieties under the Interplanting Pattern of Flue-cured Tobacco and Silage Corn in the Central Yunnan Plateau

Purpose This study aimed to screen suitable corn varieties for the interplanting pattern of flue-cured tobacco and silage corn in the subtropical climate zone of the Central Yunnan Plateau.

Methods The agronomic traits, nutritional quality, and production performance of eight corn varieties under the interplanting pattern of flue-cured tobacco and silage corn were measured and analyzed, and a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using the fuzzy membership function method.

Results Under the interplanting pattern of flue-cured tobacco and silage corn, significant agronomic trait variations were observed among the eight varieties. Regarding a single index, the plant height of Shuiquanyu No. 6 (206.15 cm) was the highest; the leaves number of Wenqingzhu No. 2 (11.78) was the largest; the hay yield of Quchen No. 49 (8.99 t/hm²) was the highest, along with the highest leaf weight, ear weight, dry matter content, and water-soluble carbohydrate content, while possessing the lowest neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents; the crude protein content of Quchen No. 9 was significantly higher than that of the other varieties. Comprehensive evaluation results showed that the average membership function values of the eight corn varieties ranked as follows: Quchen No. 49>Shuiquanyu No. 6>Quchen No. 9>Shengyu No. 2>Hongdan No. 10>Wenqingzhu No. 2>Datian 397>Dika 653.

Conclusion Under the flue-cured tobacco and silage corn interplanting pattern in central Yunnan, the fresh forage and hay yields of the eight corn varieties ranged from 26.30 to 34.52 t/hm² and from 5.52 to 8.99 t/hm², respectively. Based on a comprehensive performance of yield, agronomic traits, and nutritional quality, Quchen No. 49 can be recommended as the main corn variety for the flue-cured tobacco and silage corn interplanting pattern in the subtropical climate zone of the Central Yunnan Plateau.