Forage Production and Quality of Triticale Cultivars in the Tennessee Valley

ABSTRACT

Because of its cold tolerance and double-cropping potential, triticale can play an important role in sustainable agriculture in the Tennessee Valley by bridging the feed shortage gap in late fall and winter when other cool season grasses become dormant. Field trials were conducted in 2001 and 2002 at two locations in the Tennessee Valley to evaluate the forage yield and quality of six triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars (TCL105, TCL111, TX98D955, TX96VT5019, Tritical 498 and Tritical 2700). At both locations, TX98D955, TX96VT5019 and Tritical 2700 produced higher (P < 0.05) forage dry matter than the other cultivars. Crude protein and gross energy contents and in vitro dry matter digestibility were lower (P < 0.05) and acid-detergent fiber content higher (P < 0.05) for the cultivar TCL105 than the other cultivars. The cultivars TX96VT5019 and TX98D955 had higher (P < 0.05) P content and the cultivars TCL105, TCL111, TX96VT5019 and TX98D955 had higher (P < 0.05) Ca content than the rest. The cultivars TCL105 and TCL111 were higher (P < 0.05) in Mg and lower (P < 0.05) in K than the other cultivars. Sulfur was higher (P < 0.05) for Tritical 498 and Zn higher (P < 0.05) for TCL498, TX96VT5019 and TX98D955. Iron content was lower (P < 0.05) for TX96VT5019 and TX98D955 than for the other cultivars. The results of the study will provide useful guidelines for livestock producers for comparing triticale cultivars for forage in the Tennessee Valley.

KEYWORDS:

• Forage dry matter production
• forage quality
• nutrient content
• triticale cultivars