A study was conducted to evaluate maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes for their forage dry matter yield and nutritive value at Holetta and Adaberga forage research stations of Holetta Agricultural Research Centre. Genotypes were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study was conducted in two sets; the first set consisted of genotypes harvested at the silage harvesting stage and the second set included genotypes harvested at the green cob stage. The data collected consisted of dry matter yield, plant height and number of cobs per plant and nutritional quality of the maize genotypes. All data were subjected to analysis of variance, with significance tested at P<0.05. The location had a significant (P<0.001) effect on plant height, dry matter yield, digestible dry matter and crude protein yield at both stages of harvest. In both stages of harvest, plant height was significantly (P<0.05) affected by genotype. The result of the combined analysis showed that Kuleni had the highest plant height followed by AMH-854 and Jibat at the silage harvesting stage (P < 0.05). The result of a combined analysis indicated that DM was significantly different among genotypes at both harvesting stages. Non-significant (P<0.05) differences were found among the genotypes in all the nutrient contents, excluding ADF. For genotypes harvested at the green cob stage, dry matter, ash, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by genotype. In conclusion based on dry matter yield and plant height data taken at both harvesting stages, Kuleni, AMH-853 and Jibat maize genotypes were recommended as a green feed for the study areas and similar agro-ecologies. But, to reach exhaustive conclusions further works shall be done on the silage quality of the recommended genotypes and their effect on animal performance.
