Triticale and barley for grain and for dual-purpose (forage+grain) in a Mediterranean-type environment. II. Yield, yield components, and quality

Abstract

Four field experiments were conducted over 2 years and at 2 sites under irrigation and with high soil fertility in north-eastern Spain. Two 6-rowed barley varieties, 3 spring triticales, and 2 winter triticales were evaluated for grain yield and for forage and grain production in the same cropping season. Forage was cut at the first node detectable stage and grain was harvested at ripening in both cut and uncut plots.

Forage and grain yields did not differ significantly between species. Forage yield was positively and strongly related to the time between sowing and cutting.

Forage quality and grain protein content were similar in barley, spring triticale, and winter triticale. Forage crude protein averaged 25·3%, digestible crude protein 19·4%, and acid detergent fibre 21·9%. Grain protein content averaged 15·4%.

The reduction in grain yield caused by clipping ranged from 7 to 70% in barley, 10 to 21% in spring triticale, and 8 to 24% in winter triticale. Grain yield after cutting decreased drastically when the thermal time between cutting and physiological maturity was lower than 1000 growing degree-days (GDD), being independent of this duration for values >1100 GDD. Reductions in grain yield after forage removal were caused mainly by reductions in grain weight.

A strong relationship appeared between grain yield in the uncut treatment and grain yield after forage removal, suggesting that breeding for dual purpose could take advantage of the efforts made to increase grain yield potential.