Effects of Different Row Spacing on the Nutritional Value of Quinoa Silage

Abstract

Climate changes in the world cause an increase in arid areas and saline soils, and at the same time, the increase in extreme climate and soil conditions restricts land use efficiency. In these areas, it becomes difficult to provide silage feed for animals. Therefore, the search for alternative forage plants is also increasing. Quinoa (Chenepodium quinoa Willd.) plant, which is resistant to arid, cold and salty soils, has an important alternative plant potential for silage production in extreme climate and soil conditions. For this purpose, a research was conducted on the silage nutrition values of 2 quinoa varieties (Cherry Vanilla and Read Head) grown at 4 different row spacing distances (17.5, 35.0, 52.5, 70.0 cm). In the research, It is aimed to determine crude ash content (CA), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter consumption (DMI) and relative feed value (RFV), which have important nutritional values for animals. As a result of the research, it was determined that sowing seeds at different row spacings had a significant effect on CP, NDF, DMI and RFV of quinoa silage. There was no significant difference in the nutritional values of quinoa silage between varieties (except CP). According to the results of the research, it was determined that sowing with wide row spacing increased the nutritional value of quinoa silage.