Abstract:

To screen high-quality waxy maize varieties suitable for autumn planting in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions，this study conducted a field comparative trial of 14 waxy maize varieties in Cixi City in the autumn of 2023. Through systematic determination and comprehensive analysis of the growth period，plant traits，panicle traits，yield and quality indicators of each variety，superior varieties suitable for local ecological conditions were screened out，with the aim of providing a basis for the promotion and application of new varieties. The experimental results showed that the entire growth period of the tested varieties was 77 to 87 days. Among them，Wannongtiannuo 158 had the shortest growth period（77 days），and it only took 16 days from silking to harvest，demonstrating good early maturity. In terms of yield，the average yield per plot of Zhenuoyu 24 was the highest（33.37 kg），which was equivalent to a yield of 1 405.16 kg per 667 m²，representing a 64.30% increase compared with the control variety. The yield of Wannongtiannuo 158 ranked second（with an average yield of 33.10 kg per plot and 1 393.79 kg per 667 m²），which was 62.97% higher than that of the control variety. Moreover，its spike traits were well-coordinated，the grains were plump，and the taste was sweet and glutinous，demonstrating excellent overall performance. In addition，varieties such as Jingtiannuo 807 and Yunuo 17-1 also performed well in terms of yield and characteristics. This study held that Wannongtiannuo 158 performed relatively evenly in terms of yield，quality and adaptability，and was suitable to be promoted as a variety of autumn waxy maize in Cixi City. The results of this experiment provide theoretical guidance for the upgrading of the local fresh maize industry and the increase of agricultural efficiency.

Key words: waxy maize, autumn, yield, quality, adaptability