Changes in carbohydrate content in mixtures of field pea and spring triticale determining the quality of green fodder

Abstract

Green fodder obtained from mixtures of legume and cereals can be of good quality for direct feeding. Obtaining good quality fodder from mixtures cultivated on arable land is possible on the condition of proper share of components, harvest time and plant selection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the share of components in the mixture of pea with spring triticale and the harvest date on carbohydrates content in green matter. A field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2018 and two factors were studied: I. Share of components in the mixture: field pea - clean sowing, spring triticale - clean sowing, field pea 75% + spring triticale 25%, field pea 50% + spring triticale 50%, field pea 25% + spring triticale 75%. II. Harvest date: flowering stage of field pea, flat green pod stage of field pea. The highest content of total carbohydrates and water soluble carbohydrates, among the mixtures, was found in the mixture with 75% share of pea and 25% share of spring triticale. The harvest date had no effect on the concentration of total carbohydrates, while delaying the harvest date caused a decrease in the water soluble carbohydrates content in the green matter of the mixtures.