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Title: EFFECT OF SOWING DATE OF TRITICALE ON SEASONAL HERBAGE PRODUCTION IN THE CENTRAL APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

Author
item Clapham, William
item Fedders, James

Submitted to: Grass and Forage Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Mixed perennial, cool-season species are the dominant components of pastures in the central Appalachian Region of the United States. Forage production from such pastures is often limited during hot, dry summer months and cool early and late season periods. We studied forage production and stand dynamics of winter triticale, as a function of planting month, in comparison with established mixed-species pasture in small plots over five years in southern West Virginia, USA. Relative to mixed pasture, production advantages of winter triticale, when planted early in the season (May or June), were apparent only when summer periods were dry (1999). Wet summers resulted in foliar disease and stand decline when triticale was planted early. Autumn and spring yields from July- and August-planted triticale usually exceeded that from mixed pasture plots during September, October and the following April. Yields of late-planted triticale (September and October plantings) exceeded yields of mixed pasture in April due to the ability of triticale to tolerate and grow during cold weather of late winter and early spring when mixed pasture species were still dormant. Incorporating areas of winter triticale into mixed-species, perennial, pasture systems may extend the grazing season in our area.

Technical Abstract: Mixed perennial, cool-season species are the dominant components of pastures in the central Appalachian Region of the United States. Forage production from such pastures is often limited during hot, dry summer months and cool, early and late season periods. We studied forage production and stand dynamics of winter triticale, as a function of planting month, in comparison with established mixed-species pasture in small plots over five years in southern West Virginia, USA. Relative to mixed pasture, production advantages of winter triticale, when planted early in the season (May or June), were apparent only when summer periods were dry (1999). Wet summers resulted in foliar disease and stand decline when triticale was planted early. Average yields from July- and August-planted triticale exceeded those from mixed pasture during September by 24 percent; October, by 39 percent; and the following April by 245 percent. April yields of late-planted triticale (September and October plantings) averaged 1440 kg ha-1 dry matter, nearly 3.5 times the average April yield of mixed pasture. Superior early season production was attributed to the ability of triticale to tolerate and grow during the cold weather of late winter and early spring when mixed pasture growth was minimal. Incorporating areas of winter triticale into mixed-species, perennial, pasture systems may extend the grazing season in our area.