Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Department

Agriculture

Keywords

triticale, grain, alfalfa, feed crops, companion crops

Abstract

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) has potential as a feed crop in the north central United States and could also function as a companion crop for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment. The objectives of this research were to assess the suitability of a short-statured spring triticale as a companion crop and determine optimum triticale seeding rates for grain yield and alfalfa establishment. Spring triticale ‘Trimark 37812’ and alfalfa were grown in companion at Ames and Sioux Center, IA during 2004 and 2005. Triticale was seeded at 198, 297, 396, 495, and 594 pure live seeds (PLS) m−2 and alfalfa was seeded at 600 PLS m−2 The grain yield response to changes in stand density was quadratic with maximum yield occurring at 516 plants m−2 A plant density of 325 plants m−2 and a seeding rate of 374 seeds m−2 resulted in maximum profit. The grain yield at the stand density for maximum profit was 4.4 Mg ha−1 Increasing the triticale seeding rate had no effect on alfalfa stand density or dry matter yield. Alfalfa stand densities exceeded the 130 plants m−2threshold required for maximum long-term productivity suggesting the short-statured spring triticale cultivar used in this study was well suited for companion cropping with alfalfa.

Comments

  • This is a pre-publication author manuscript of the final, published article. The definitive version is published by the Agronomy Society of America and available from http://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2007.0384
  • DOI: 10.2134/agronj2007.0384
  • Copyright © 2008 by the American Society of Agronomy

Source Publication Title

Agronomy Journal

Publisher

American Society of Agronomy

Volume

100

Issue

4

First Page

911

DOI

10.2134/agronj2007.0384

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