Effect of Seeding Rates and Row Spacing on Forage and Grain Production of Triticale, Wheat, and Rye 1

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is being used for supplemental winter grazing and has potential to be a grain crop in the southeastern U. S. There is little information on the effect of cultural practices on the agronomic performance of triticale. An experiment was conducted on a Decatur silty clay loam soil ( Rhodic Paleudult ) to study the effects of two row spacings (12.5 and 25 cm) and three seeding rates (50, 75, and 100 kg/ha) for two growing seasons on the performance of a triticale cultivar, 6TA 131, in comparison with commonly grown Wrens Abruzzi rye ( Secale cereale L.) and Arthur 71 wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). Differences in forage yields due to row spacing and seeding rates of triticale, wheat, and rye were highly significant. The optimum rate of seeding for triticale appears to be 75 and 100 kg/ha for grain and forage production, respectively, when planted at 12.5‐cm row spacings. In wheat and rye, seeding rates of 75 and 100 kg/ha produced significantly more forage, whereas seeding at 50 kg /ha was adequate for grain yields. Clipping effects on triticale and wheat grain yields were inconsistent, but reduced rye yield considerably.