Triticale Forage Research Articles

Effect of different varieties of triticale on product characteristics in broiler chickens

The aim of this paper was to determine how forage triticale in diets for fattening broilers influence the body weight and weight gain of broiler chickens for fattening. The survey was conducted on 400 chickens for fattening provenance Ross 308 for a period of 42 days. On this occasion, four groups of chickens were formed, with 100 chickens being treated in each group, as follows: K (classic mixture for fattening broilers) and O-I (mixtures with triticale variety Kg 20), O-II (mixtures with triticale Favorit) and O-III group (mixtures with triticale Trijumf). The highest average body mass in the groups of chickens (male, female and chicks of both sexes), was scored by broiler chickens of O-II-group. The minimum food consumption for 42-day-old chicks was achieved by group O-I (4.275 kg), and the most by O-II group (4.359 kg). Chickens of O-II- and III-O-group had the best feed conversion, while the chickens of O-I-group had a slightly poorer feed conversion. The mortality of the groups of chickens for the entire period of the study was the lowest in O-II-group, at 2.0%, and the highest mortality was found in O-III-group (6.0%). The production index was the highest in O-II-group (202.726) and the lowest in O-I-group. The results achieved in this research indicate that the use of tested triticale cultivars significantly affected the weight gain and body mass of chicks and have nutritional and economic justification.

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) Forage Production with Solarized Sheep or Cattle Manure

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) Forage Production with Solarized Sheep or Cattle Manure

Nitrogen Timing for Boot Stage Triticale Forage Yield and Phosphorus Uptake

Boot-stage winter triticale (× Triticosecale rampaui Wittm.) is a popular double-crop option for dairymen that increases forage production and phosphorus (P) removal in the Pacific Northwest USA. Optimal nitrogen (N) management for forage yield and P removal and a convenient plant assay of N sufficiency for this option are not well established. Thus, the objective was (i) to refine N fertilizer rate and timing and (ii) to evaluate forage crude protein (CP) as a reasonable diagnostic for plant N sufficiency. Irrigated winter triticale in low and compost-P-enriched soil was treated with eight N fertilizer treatments: a non-fertilized control; five fall pre-plant urea N rates, (60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 lb/acre); and two late-winter urea N rates (120 and 240 lb/acre). Applied N increased boot-stage forage biomass, CP, nitrates, and N and P uptake. Compared to late-winter N, fall pre-plant N increased boot-stage forage yield as much as 33% and P uptake as much as 22% in P enriched soil. More N was required for maximizing P removal than was required for maximizing forage production. Forage CP provided a reasonable estimate of plant N sufficiency with 10.0 to 11.0% CP indicating sufficient available N for maximum forage production. In summary, pre-plant N is preferable to delayed late-winter topdressed N for maximum boot-stage triticale forage yield and soil P removal.

In situ disappearance of dry matter and fiber from fall-grown cereal-grain forages from the north-central United States1

Recent research has demonstrated that fall-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), and oat (Avena sativa L.) forages contain limited lignin and exhibit relatively stable estimates of in vitro true DM disappearance, as well as TDN, across a wide fall-harvest window. These traits suggest that ruminal availability of forage fiber is extensive. Our objectives were to evaluate this premise by assessing in situ DM and NDF disappearance for Kaskaskia wheat, Trical 2700 triticale, Ogle oat (grain-type, mid-maturity rating), and ForagePlus oat (forage-type, late maturity rating) grown and harvested during fall in Wisconsin. During 2006, ruminal disappearance rate (K(d)) of DM declined linearly (P ≤ 0.002) across fall harvest dates for all cultivars; K(d) ranged narrowly (0.091 to 0.100/h) on the initial September 15 harvest date, but by October 30, K(d) generally was slower for oat (0.042 to 0.053/h) than for triticale (0.069/h) or wheat (0.072/h). Estimates of effective ruminal disappearance of DM (RDDM) were large for all cultivars (72.0 to 82.8% of DM), and generally exhibited polynomial trends over harvest dates that displayed both linear (P ≤ 0.003) and quadratic (P ≤ 0.004) character. For 2007, RDDM was extensive across all forages (70.5 to 83.1%), except for Ogle oat harvested on October 10 (61.5% of DM) or November 7 (57.0% of DM), at which time tillers had reached the boot- and fully headed stages of growth, respectively. For ruminal disappearance of NDF, K(d) declined linearly (P ≤ 0.002) across harvest dates for all cultivars during 2006 and 2007; a quadratic (P ≤ 0.033) effect also was detected for ForagePlus oat, but not for other cultivars (P ≥ 0.072). During both years, effective ruminal disappearance of NDF (RDNDF) declined linearly (P ≤ 0.008) over harvest dates for all cultivars, but detection of additional quadratic responses was dependent on cultivar and year. Concentrations of RDNDF for all cultivars ranged from 60.5 to 68.8% of NDF on mid-September harvest dates. Generally, these estimates declined to 51.4 to 60.0% of NDF by the final harvest date for all cultivars except Ogle oat, which reached numerical minimums of 46.8 and 37.2% of NDF on the final harvest dates of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cereal-grain cultivars that elongate during fall will exhibit relatively stable RDDM and RDNDF through stem elongation; however, these estimates may decline substantially after tillers exhibit visible seedheads.

Studies on the Responses of Root, Shoot and Drought Resistance in the Seedlings of Forage Triticale to Water Stress

In order to investigate the identification index of drought resistance in the forage triticale seedlings, 30 triticales withdifferent genotypes were identified by 20%–PEG6000. Results showed that responses of each gene to water stress wererelatively obvious, water content decreased, the root-shoot ratio enhanced, and leaf curvature and root hyperplasied;There was significant difference among different genotypes, material 27,29,30 showed a good representation to waterstress, and their root status were also good. The variation regularity of water content and root hyperplasia was good andthey had a great significant correlation. But the variation of root-shoot ratio is relatively complex, other factors shouldbe taken further consideration in the application.

Fibrous and Nonfibrous Carbohydrate Supplementation to Ruminants Grazing Forage from Small Grain Crops

AbstractAnimal performance, N balance, and forage digestibility effects of fibrous (beet pulp) and nonfibrous (corn) carbohydrate supplementation to ruminants grazing small-grain forages was studied. Similar supplements were used in 3 studies: no supplement (NS), cracked corn (CN), and beet pulp (BP) at 0.5% BW. The effect of supplementation on ADG of yearling heifers (n = 48, BW = 267 ± 22 kg) grazing triticale (CP = 20 ± 1.2%) or wheat (CP = 27 ± 8.1%) was investigated in Exp. 1. Diet digestion and N metabolism by lambs (n = 12, BW = 36 ± 3.7 kg) consuming fresh triticale forage were studied in Exp. 2. The effect of supplementation on IVDMD of triticale forage was investigated in Exp. 3. In Exp. 1, neither supplement (P = 0.76) nor crop grazed (P = 0.64) affected ADG of heifers. In Exp. 2, BP improved N retention (g/d; P = 0.03), NDF, and ADF digestion (P = 0.01) when compared with NS and CN. Treatment BP improved DM digestion compared with NS (P = 0.05) and tended to improve DM digestion compared with CN. In Exp. 3, rumen pH was lower in BP and CN as compared with NS (P < 0.01), and IVDMD was lower (P < 0.01) in treatment CN as compared with NS and BP. Fibrous carbohydrate supplementation to ruminants grazing triticale forage improved rumen bioavailability of nutrients. Correspondingly, supplementation with high carbohydrate showed no benefits in terms of N retention, ADF, or NDF digestion and decreased IVDMD. Neither supplement affected animal performance when animals on high-quality small-grain forage were experiencing compensatory gain.

Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Bioenergy Double‐Cropping Systems

Double‐crop systems have the potential to generate additional feedstocks for bioenergy and livestock utilization, and also to reduce NO3–N leaching relative to sole‐crop systems. Field studies were conducted near Ames, IA, during 2005–2007 to evaluate productivity and crop and soil nutrient dynamics in three prototypical bioenergy double‐crop systems, and in a conventionally managed sole‐crop corn system. Double‐cropping systems evaluated in the study included fall‐seeded forage triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), succeeded by one of three summer‐adapted crops: corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum‐sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], or sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.). Total dry matter production by triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum‐sudangrass was 25% greater than sole‐crop corn, which in turn produced 21% more dry matter than triticale/sunn hemp. Potential ethanol yield was greatest for triticale/corn, which was estimated to have the capacity to produce 1080 L ha−1 more ethanol than sole‐crop corn. Crop N uptake was greater in double‐crop systems during April‐June, greater in the sole‐crop corn system during July–August, and greater again in double‐crop systems during September–October. Relative to sole‐crop corn, potentially leachable soil N was reduced in double‐crop systems by 34 and 25%, respectively, in the spring (mid‐April) and fall (late October). High nutrient density of biomass coupled with high productivity for triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum systems also resulted in the removal of 83, 41, and 177% more N, P, and K, respectively, compared with sole‐crop corn. Sustained removal of large quantities of nutrient‐dense biomass from double‐cropping systems would necessitate increased fertilization or integration with nutrient recycling mechanisms.

Identifying Winter Forage Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) Strains for the Central Great Plains

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is mainly used as a forage crop in the central Great Plains. A successful triticale cultivar should have high forage yield with good quality, and also high grain yield so the seed can be economically produced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate existing triticale cultivars and experimental strains for their relative value in the central Great Plains as an annual hay crop primarily for feeding to beef cattle. Two experiments (one for forage yield and one for grain yield) were planted at two locations (one representing the arid Great Plains and the second representing the or higher rainfall central Great Plains) for 2 yr. Twenty‐nine triticale cultivars and strains were evaluated for forage yield and quality, and grain yield. In both experiments, year effects were significant (P &lt; 0.05) for all traits except grain yield; location effects were significant for forage yield, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber. There was no location × strain or year × location × strain interaction for all the quality traits indicating that triticale forage quality was stable across environments. Triticale strains differed significantly for forage yield, grain yield, NDF, acid detergent lignin, and relative feed value. However, forage of all strains had good feed quality. Three strains had high grain and forage yield, and very good relative feed value suggesting that triticale improvement for both grain and forage traits is possible.

Genetic resources in the Triticeae

To man Triticeae is one of the most important tribes in the plant kingdom, comprising the temperate cereals wheat, barley, rye, triticale and several important forages. All ca. 350 wild taxa of the tribe thus constitute a gigantic gene pool to the crops. By necessity the primary gene pools have received the highest priority in collecting, evaluation and utilization. However, the wild and weedy taxa have in recent years received an increased attention, but the basic botanical and genetical knowledge is in many groups fragmentary. Even though collecting has been accomplished in many areas, there are still areas which have not been visited. Very limited knowledge is present on seed physiology, seed handling techniques, sampling strategies, and genetic diversity concerning wild species. Most Triticeae species are common over vast areas, but quite a few need special attention, being rare, or threatened by extinction.

Pasture composition and production from different cropping sequences in dryland pasture converted from Pinus radiata forest

Dry matter production and pasture composition were measured over 22 months in eight cropping sequences on a dryland site converted from forest to pasture. Cropping sequences involved different combinations of: (i) autumn and spring sowing; (ii) sowing immediately into pasture or into oat and triticale forage crops followed by pasture; and (iii) undersowing pasture beneath rape or conventional sowing. Keywords: land-use conversion, plantation forestry, pasture, clover, weeds

Evaluating Crops for a Flexible Summer Fallow Cropping System

Substituting a short‐season, spring‐planted crop for summer fallow when soil water is sufficient at planting might reduce soil degradation without significantly increasing the risk of crop failure. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship of crop grain or forage yield to plant available soil water at planting. The study was conducted on silt loam soils in 2004 and 2005 at Sidney, NE, and Akron, CO. A range of soil water levels was established with supplemental irrigation before planting. Four crops [spring triticale (X Triticosecale rimpaui Wittm.) for forage, dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) for grain, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) for grain, and foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) for forage] were no‐till seeded into corn (Zea mays L.) residue in a split‐plot design with four replications per location. Triticale forage yield increased by 229 kg ha−1 for each centimeter of soil water available at planting in 2004. Foxtail millet forage yield and grain yield of proso millet increased by 399 kg ha−1 cm−1 and 148 kg ha−1 cm−1, respectively, at Akron in 2004. Spring triticale, foxtail millet, and proso millet did not respond to soil water at planting in 2005, when precipitation was above the long‐term average. Dry pea did not demonstrate a consistent positive response to soil water availability at planting. Soil water at planting may be a useful indicator of potential yield for selected short‐season spring‐planted summer crops, particularly when crop production is limited by growing season precipitation.

Fertilizer Rate and Placement Alters Triticale Forage Yield and Quality

On a soil low in available phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), 14 combinations of N and P fertilizer rates and placement were compared for ‘Presto’ winter triticale (× Triticosecale rimpaui Wittm.) forage production and forage quality. Increasing broadcast N rates increased forage yield and crude protein percentage while lowering forage fiber components. Additional P fertilizer banded with the seed increased forage yield, but crude protein percentage declined and fiber concentrations increased with the additional P. The most efficient use of the fertilizer resource was experienced with small incremental levels of N or P both banded with seed. Seed-banded N at 20 lb/acre produced as much quality forage as when 80 lb of N per acre was broadcast and incorporated. Fertilizing with P at 10 lb/acre banded with the seed produced as much or greater forage as N at 120 lb/acre broadcast and incorporated. Both N and P fertilizer, alone or in combination, can efficiently improve forage yield and quality of ‘Presto’ winter triticale, especially when banded with the seed.

Simulated Grazing Effects on Triticale Forage Yield

Simulated Grazing Effects on Triticale Forage Yield

Dry matter yield and quality evaluation at two phenological stages of forage triticale grown in the Po Valley and Sardinia, Italy

Autumn-sown cereals are a very important source of nutrients for livestock. Moreover, the harvesting of the entire plant at milk-dough stage makes a double-cropping approach possible resulting in higher yields per unit area. Of the various winter cereals, triticale is particularly interesting due to its quality–quantity potential as whole-plant silage. Given the broad range of triticale cultivars available today and the important role played by the environment on the nutritional value of forages, the present study was undertaken to establish the adaptability of modern cultivars to different locations for high quality whole-plant production at two growing stages. Our results indicate the yield potential of triticale as silage both in irrigated or in rainfed Mediterranean areas. Regarding quality of the forage the best performance was recorded in Sardinian environments where plant growth was characterised by a gradual temperature increase. Thus, in Mediterranean areas, triticale could represent a viable source of livestock feed during the summer period offsetting the dearth of fresh forage typical in these environments.

Concentrations and Ruminal Degradabilities of Amino Acids from Wheat and Triticale Forage and Grain

AbstractA study was conducted to provide comparative data on amino acid (AA) concentrations in forage and grain of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (✕Triticosecale Wittmack), before and after ruminal degradation, while assessing forage and grain yield potential. Forage samples of Terral ‘817’ wheat, ‘Jenkins’ triticale, and ‘Morrison’ triticale were harvested at growth stages 5.0, 6.5, and 8.0 and AA concentrations and yield determined. Wheat and triticale forage samples were incubated in Dacron bags for 24 h in the rumen of cows to determine the comparative ruminal degradability of their EAA. Forage production among the three cultivars in 1987‐1988 was similar, but in 1988‐1989, Jenkins produced 15% more forage than Terral 817, which produced 14% more forage than Morrison. Essential amino acid concentrations in Jenkins triticale forage were equal to or greater than Terral 817 wheat or Morrison triticale; however, Morrison grain had a greater concentration of all EAA, except lysine, than did grain of Terral 817 or Jenkins. The EAA in Terral 817 forage averaged 25% higher in potential degradability in the rumen than EAA in Jenkins. Terral 817 and Morrison maintained a higher grain yield response to forage removal in contrast to Jenkins. Differences in forage yield, grain yield, and EAA concentration could not always be separated by species. The data suggest that triticale may produce forage and grain yields equal or greater than that of winter wheat while providing a better source of ruminally undegradable EAA.

Sowing Date and Cutting Frequency Effects on Triticale Forage and Grain Production

Cereal production for both forage and grain is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, sowing date, and the frequency, as well as the growth stage(s) at which forage cuttings are made. To determine optimum sowing dates for, and cutting effects on, forage and grain production in a Mediterranean environment, triticale (× Triticosecale W., cv. Trujillo) was grown in 1989 and 1990 at two rainfed sites and one irrigated site in southern Spain. The best balance for forage and grain production in this environment was achieved by sowing during the last week of November or first week of December. Sowing before or after this period decreased forage yield by 22 to 44%, grain yield by 12 to 60%, and total useable biomass (i.e., forage + grain) by to 52%. The highest grain yield was obtained where forage was not cut. One cutting reduced grain yield by 26 to 60% at rainfed sites and by 18 to 20% with irrigation. Two cuttings reduced grain yield by 35 to 48% and by 45 to 70% with and without irrigation, respectively, but increased forage yield by 76% with, or 31 and 96% without irrigation. For a Mediterranean environment, these results demonstrate good forage and grain yields with irrigation or where moderate (~400 mm) rainfall is received during the growing season. Cutting triticale for forage does not appear to be advisable in areas with very low seasonal rainfall.

Sulfur fertilization of wheat and triticale for forage production

Abstract Throughout the Great Plains, wheat (Triticurn aestivum L.) is utilized for grain and forage production. Triticale (Triticum aestivum L. x Secale cereale L.) is known for its ability to produce large quantities of high quality forage. With recent improvement in winter hardiness, interest in and acreage of triticale is spreading north in the central Great Plains. The forage production potential of wheat and triticale is essential to many livestock producers. Very few data are available concerning the effects of sulfur (S) fertilization on production and quality of wheat or triticale forage. Greenhouse research was conducted to evaluate the addition of S as either ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) or ammonium sulfate (AS) on production and quality of wheat and triticale forage on four different soils. Sulfur fertilization increased forage yields and S concentrations of both crops on all soils, and in many cases, resulted in higher N concentrations in the forage. Sulfur fertilization also increased in vitro digestibility of wheat, but had little effect on triticale digestibility. Both S sources performed similarly. Application of S after the first clipping was effective in increasing second clipping forage production on three of the four soils, and forage S concentrations were dramatically increased for both crops on all soils. Although the magnitude of response varied, S fertilization was effective in increasing production and quality of wheat and triticale forage grown in the greenhouse.

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Dry Matter and Organic Matter Digestibility of Triticale Forage

AbstractTriticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars Council and Morrison were planted in mid‐September (early planting) and mid‐October (late planting) in 1984 at the Alabama A &amp;: M University‐experiment station for studying organic matter digestibility. The plants were harvested at the tillering, milk and dough stages and samples were subjected to proximate analyses and in vitro digestibility tests. A 1,100 lb Hereford steer fitted with a permanent ruminal fistula was used as the rumen fluid donor. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were determined by Moore's modification of the two‐stage digestion technique of Tilly and Terry (1963). Triticale cultivar Council was comparable to Morrison for phosphorus (P), dry matter (DM), ceil wall content, IVDMD and IVOMD. Crude protein (CP) and ash content were significantly higher for Morrison than for Council, while gross energy (GE) was significantly higher for Council than for Morrison. Both early and late plantings showed similar levels of DM, GE, P and cell wall constituents. However, CP and ash content were higher for early planting than late planting. The tillering stage was consistently higher than the milk or dough stages for CP, ash, P, calcium (Ca), IVDMD and IVOMD. The results indicate that the milk stage was superior to the tillering or dough stages in DM and cell wall content. Results from this study showed no significant differences in digestibilities for two triticale cultivars and planting dates. Based on the higher DM content at the milk stage, it seems that milk stage in triticale would be more acceptable as a forage than the tillering or dough stage.

Quantity and Quality of Triticale Forage Compared to other Small Grains1

AbstractSeveral triticale cultivars are being used as supplemental wintergrazing in the southeastern United States. This experiment was conducted to provide comparative data on the yield and quality of forage of triticale Triticale hexaploide Lart.), rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Trticum aestivum L.) and oats (Avena sativa L.).Triticale cultivars ‘Fasgro 385’ and ‘Fasgro 514’ produced as much forage as ‘Jefferson’ oats and ‘Holley’ wheat during the 1971‐72 season but were inferior to ‘Athens Abruzzi’ and ‘Pennington Wintergrazer 70’ ryes. In the 1973–74 season triticale cultivars ‘Fasgro 131’ and Fasgro 385 produced as much or more forage as the other small grain cultivars except Athens Abbruzzi rye. Triticale cultivars differed considerably in their ability to survive low temperatures (—11.1 C) during the 1971–72 season.Crude protein content of the triticale forage at comparable stages of growth was similar to rye, wheat and oats. The only exceptions to this were Funk's Rosner and Graze Green 70 at the last clipping in 1972. Cell wall content of the triticale cultivars was lower than rye or rye‐wheat mixtures late in the season; however, their CWC was similar to Holley wheat throughout the growing season. Triticale CWC was similar to oats at all harvest dates except the last one in 1974.