Premium
Sowing Date and Cutting Frequency Effects on Triticale Forage and Grain Production
Author(s) -
Ramos J. M.,
GarcÍa del Moral M. B.,
Marinetto J.,
GarcÍa del Moral L. F.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1993.0011183x003300060038x
Subject(s) - forage , agronomy , sowing , triticale , irrigation , biology , mediterranean climate , cutting , yield (engineering) , horticulture , ecology , materials science , metallurgy
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.