Brought to you by KWS
New KWS maize varieties on the Variety List
Based on an extensive breeding program, KWS strives for the highest achievable balance for the cultivation of fodder maize by allowing them to perform optimally under the conditions that apply in the Benelux.
The Benelux has a very important role in this program due to its central location in Northwest Europe and the fact that several climate zones are spread over the Benelux. Maize varieties sold here have also been tested in the Benelux for several years. In addition, the pilot experience gained in neighboring countries is also taken into account. Because the climate in the northern Netherlands, for example, is very similar to that of northern Germany, Denmark and England, the maize varieties that have been tested here also thrive very well in those countries. The reverse is of course also the case.
The most important spearheads/objectives for KWS in maize breeding in the Benelux are grain precocity, feed value, feed value yield, silage maize yield and agricultural properties.
Grain precocity
To achieve the maximum yield and optimal energy density, a precocious flask is necessary. Another important advantage is that a variety with timely ripening in the cob can be harvested earlier. This means that the catch crop can be sown on time and can do what it is supposed to do, namely capture residual nitrogen. When this method is used with these varieties, the requirements/conditions that fall under the Nitrates Directive are better met.
Feed value yield
Starch in maize mainly provides glucogenic energy for the production of milk and meat. The economic use value of starch is clear and results in savings on feed costs on the farm. A variety with a higher grain yield simply delivers a higher starch yield.
agricultural properties
Good agricultural properties are becoming increasingly important. As a result of, among other things, manure legislation, fertilizer doses are going down and moreover, a cubic meter of manure contains fewer nutrients than in previous years. This means that a maize crop can become 'stressed' earlier as a result. A crop under stress is more susceptible to fungal attack. Selection for insensitivity to (fungal) diseases is therefore an important part of the breeding programme. Think in particular of leaf fungi (leaf spot disease), bubonic burn, head burn and the various Fusarium variants.
Low input is the future
For several years now, the KWS hybrids sold on the market have belonged to the so-called low-input varieties. This means that equivalent to higher yields are achieved with less water and nutrients. In view of the increasingly extreme weather conditions during the growing season, a great deal of energy and money is also invested in selection for firmness. Think of preventing damage as a result of stem breakage or (root) alloying. Cold and drought tolerance are also two important spearheads in breeding. The past four years have shown the effect of cold and/or drought on maize growth and yield.
Efforts rewarded by entry on the Variety Lists
Due to strong efforts in breeding, the progress in dry matter yield is between 0,8 and 1% per year. This is almost entirely due to advances in grain yield. New early maturing varieties perform just as well, if not even better, than many mid-early varieties listed on the Variety List. This has to do with the fact that in breeding, especially at KWS, the emphasis is placed on precocity in the grain. The genetic progress in the precocious group of breeds is simply faster. Very good examples of this are the KWS varieties on the WUR Variety Bulletin Silomaize Ultra Early – Very Early 2023 and the CSAR Recommended Variety List 2023:
- NEVO: ultra-early - very early (FAO 180), very suitable for a very early harvest as silage maize, MKS, CCM and/or dry grain maize and for sowing on drought-sensitive soils.
- PAPAGENO: very early (FAO 200), very suitable for a very early harvest as silage maize with a high feed value.
- CURACAO: early (FAO 210), very suitable for the cultivation of early maize as silage maize with a high dry matter yield.
- EMPORIO: early (FAO 215), very suitable for an early harvest as silage maize, MKS, CCM and/or dry grain maize resulting in a high feed value yield.
- JOHANINIO: early (FAO 225), very suitable for harvesting as early silage maize or MCS, resulting in a high dry matter and feed value yield.
This does not detract from the fact that serious attention is also paid to the breeding of mid-early varieties. Special attention is given here to the development of the so-called double dent maize varieties. Dent corn, also known as horse tooth corn, is even firmer and has greater yield potential. The plants of this newly developed genetics are also more compact and therefore more robust, but also more leafy and have a large spadix. A very nice newcomer here is the Arturello variety. Both in our own trials and in the fields of other research institutes, this variety has achieved the highest nutritional value yield.
- ARTURELLO: mid-early (FAO 240), very suitable for a mid-early harvest as silage maize, MKS, CCM and/or grain maize and for sowing on soil sensitive to drought. In addition, Arturello is not susceptible to bubonic burn and head burn!
Would you like more information about KWS' latest maize varieties? Please contact your regional advisor.
