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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141334
Title: WINTER TRITICALE: A FORAGE FOR ALL SEASONS

Author
item Clapham, William
item Fedders, James

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2002
Publication Date: 12/20/2003
Citation: CLAPHAM, W.M., FEDDERS, J.M. WINTER TRITICALE: A FORAGE FOR ALL SEASONS. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY MEETINGS. 2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Winter Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is usually planted in late summer or early fall, grows vegetatively prior to vernalization by cold winter temperatures and develops reproductively the following spring. Earlier establishment could increase production of high quality forage by extending the duration of the leafy vegetative period and buffer declines in production from cool-season forages during hot, dry summer periods. Triticale was planted in small plots at monthly intervals from May through October, 1999-2002 to determine the effects of planting date on forage production, tillering and potential to produce forage during drought and seasonal extremes. Triticale out-produced native, cool-season, grass-clover swards by 50% (6800 vs. 4400 kg/ha) in 1999, a dry summer. However, native swards out-produced Triticale by up to 84% in wet summers (2000 and 2001). Spring forage production was consistently highest when planted in September and October. Winter Triticale has potential to produce high-quality forage throughout a large portion of the year and is being evaluated as a component of a forage-finished beef system.