A Canadian Ethanol Feedstock Study to Benchmark the Relative Performance of Triticale: I. Agronomics

Abstract

A need has been identified for alternative crop(s) with high grain yield, low grain protein concentration, and high starch for the ethanol industry. The objective of this study was to benchmark the relative performance of triticale (×Triticosecale ssp.) to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) classes currently utilized for ethanol production. Sixteen cultivars—three triticale, four Canada prairie spring (CPS) wheat, three Canada western soft white spring wheat (CWSWS), two Canada western red spring (CWRS) wheat, and four Canada western general purpose (CWGP) candidate cultivars—were grown at 36 locations across western Canada from 2006 to 2009. The performance of these cereal classes can generally be summarized as triticale = Hoffman (CWGP) = CWSWS > CPS white > CPS red > CWRS for most variables. The triticale and white wheats produced 12 and 13% more grain, respectively, than the hard red spring wheats. Among the triticales, AC Ultima’s and Pronghorn’s yield potential were most notable because they exceeded the CWRS cultivars AC Barrie and AC Superb by an average of 32% and the CPS red cultivars 5700PR and AC Crystal by 18%. The triticales and Hoffman matured later than most other cultivars. Pronghorn consistently displayed low levels of fusarium head blight (FHB), Septoria nodorum blotch, and powdery mildew, but elevated ergot levels were observed for all triticales. We conclude that triticale would be superior to CPS and CWRS wheat and similar to CWSWS in many agronomic traits desired by ethanol fermentation plants and is superior for biomass production.

A Canadian Ethanol Feedstock Study to Benchmark the Relative Performance of Triticale: II. Grain Quality and Ethanol Production

“…The generally small variance estimates relative to total variance for the random effect of site suggests that rank changes between cultivars, in exclusion of agroecological zone or region interactions, probably were not important. In the first study of this series (Beres et al, 2013), similar observations were reported for agronomic and disease traits with the exception of lodging, which had a site × cultivar variance estimate of 31%. Entry difference variability may increase when the area expands beyond the agroecological zones; however, the area required to observe a response can be large.…”

Irrigated soft white spring wheat is largely unresponsive to conservation management in rotations with dry bean, potato and sugar beet

“…Larney et al (2017b) reported significantly higher surface residue cover with wheat as the preceding crop (33.7%) compared with narrow-row dry bean (9.7%), which was significantly higher than potato and sugar beet (6.5%-6.7%), which were in turn significantly higher than wide-row bean (3.6%). Beres et al (2013) pointed out that as the bioeconomy evolves, opportunities for dual grain markets have emerged, typified by SWS wheat. A SWS wheat grower can now choose to either sell their wheat into a milling market or contract it to an ethanol plant.…”

“…1). However, by 2000, the seeded area of SWS wheat had plummeted dramatically to only 18 000 ha due to low economic returns, changes to consumer dietary preferences, and competition with other wheat classes (Beres et al 2013). McCallum and DePauw (2008) highlighted limited domestic demand as a reason for the decline of CWSWS wheat, with its end-uses filled by soft white winter wheat from Ontario.…”

“…While SWS wheat has historically been adapted to the irrigation districts of southern Alberta, it has recently found a niche as a suitable feedstock for ethanol production due to its low GPC and high starch content (Beres et al 2008(Beres et al , 2013McKenzie and Pauly 2013). In fact, the rebound in the seeded area of SWS wheat since 2010 ( Fig.…”

Systematic assessment of triticale‐based biorefinery strategies: a biomass procurement strategy for economic success

“…Starch and protein content in triticale (and traditional crops) are of importance because of the food and feed potential of these crops, therefore if triticale is to substitute many of these crops, it must deliver the same quantity of these components. A recent comparison of triticale and wheat grown under the same conditions showed that the differences in composition between triticale and wheat are small, thanks to new varieties of triticale which have improved composition.…”