Nitrogen Effects on Triticale Grain Yield, Amino Acid Composition, and Feed Nutritional Quality for Swine

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the southeastern USA are similar in spite of different end uses. Grain yield, protein, and amino acid composition of four triticale cultivars were evaluated over five N levels ranging from 30 to 150 lb/acre in four Georgia environments. Nitrogen was topdressed as ammonium nitrate at peak tillering. Relative economic value of triticale for feed was calculated assuming total replacement of corn (Zea mays L.) plus variable amounts of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal (SBM) in a standard swine diet formulated to 100% of National Research Council (NRC) lysine requirement at representative prices for corn and SBM. Significant grain yield responses to N occurred in three of the four environments. Grain yield was maximized with 90 or 120 lb N/acre depending on environment and cultivar. Yield component responses to N were increased tiller density, decreased seeds per head, and decreased seed weight. Quantity of all amino acids increased linearly with N indicating potential for enhancing nutritional value by increasing N to raise contents of limiting essential amino acids. The superior lysine content of triticale relative to corn resulted in a relative cash price for triticale, which averaged 6% higher than corn value (range 3% to 10%). Despite N‐induced increases in lysine content and relative nutrional value of triticale for feed, marginal return per acre was maximized at N levels associated with maximum grain yield. Cultivars varied for all traits except tiller density. Maximum economic return per acre was obtained with improved cultivars Florico and Florida 201, which had higher yield potential and test weight, but lower lysine content, than cultivars Beagle 82 and Morrison. Based on our study using 1997 prices, current N recommendations for small grains of 60 to 120lb N/acre depending on previous crop, are appropriate for triticale. At these N levels, cultivar selection is more important for increasing returns than additional inputs of N. Research Question Although end use and quality parameters of triticale and soft red winter wheat differ, N recommendations for the two crops are the same in the southeastern USA. High rates of N cause undesirable increases in grain protein content and decreases in milling and baking quality of soft red winter wheat, however N‐induced increases in content of limiting essential amino acids could increase the nutritional value of triticale as a feed grain for poultry and swine. This study was conducted to determine triticale cultivar response to N fertilization for grain yield, amino acid composition, and feeding value for swine. Literature Summary Several studies with cereal grains have shown that amino acid contents in grain increase as a linear function of N fertilization. Contents of some nonessential amino acids increase faster than contents of some essential amino acids in response to N, and it is generally concluded that protein quality decrea...

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Reproduction and offspring competitiveness of Senna obtusifolia are influenced by nutrient availability

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