Forage and grain yields of dual-purpose triticale as influenced by the integrated use of <em>Azotobacter chroococcum</em> and mineral nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

The utilization of dual-purpose cereals is encouraged in the Mediterranean environments to fill a feed gap during the winter season. Triticale is a promising dual-purpose crop for forage and grain production. Studies on the variations in productivity and quality of dual-purpose triticale under variable fertilization management are scarce. This study was carried out during winter 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, in Northern Egypt, to evaluate the performance of triticale grown in dual-purpose and grain-only production systems under variable mineral N (mN) rates (zero, 25, 50, 75% of the recommended), accompanied with Azotobacter chroococcum (AC) seed inoculation, as well as 100% mN application without AC. The application of 50% mN with AC seed inoculation resulted in an average of 7.23, 7.27 t ha-1, forage and grain yields, respectively. Moreover, forage and grain crude protein reached 125.57, and 200.60 g kg-1, respectively. Forage fiber fractions were non-significantly variable among the fertilizer treatments. Azotobacter chroococcum seed inoculation, thus, allowed for the reduction of the used amount of mN to 50% without sacrificing the forage and grain yields and protein content. In the dual-purpose system, an average of 7.23 t ha-1 forage yield was obtained with little reduction in the grain yield (19% reduction in average). Meanwhile, grain CP content was higher in dual-purpose system (201.38 g kg-1) than in grain-only system (182.98 g kg-1). In similar conditions to the current study, it is recommended to expand the production of dual-purpose triticale in the winter while reducing mN fertilizer rate to 50% in combination with AC seed inoculation.

Agronomic and In Vitro Quality Evaluation of Dual-Purpose Cereals Clipped at Variable Ages and Their Utilization in Rabbit Feeding

“…The proper age at forage removal is basically determined by the stage of apical development, which varies among the different crops [21]. Previous investigations carried out in the Mediterranean region recommended clipping most of the dual-purpose cereals at early jointing [1][2][3][4]. In the current study, the investigated crops reached the early jointing stage, i.e., GS31 according to Zadoks scale [22], approximately at 60 DAS.…”

“…This was accompanied by a small grain yield reduction of around 17.54, 0.70, 6.23, 6.94% for the four respective crops. Thus, supported by the good prices of grass forage in the region [1,4], the dual-purpose utilization of winter cereals proved to be economic.…”

“…The integration of crop and livestock production in the same farming system is a famous strategy of agricultural intensification that is widely recommended, especially in low input systems. However, this mixed agricultural system is often hindered by the seasonal fluctuations in forage supply, especially in the winter [1]. Thus, the cultivation Agronomy 2021, 11, 1147 2 of 14 of dual-purpose cereals is widely practiced in the Mediterranean region to fill a feed gap in the autumn/early winter season [2][3][4].…”

“…Among the prominent cereals that proved distinction as dual-purpose crops are barley, oat, triticale, and ryegrass [1,4,6]. The management practices for achieving the maximum amount of forage yield from the different cereal crops are different from those recommended for optimum grain production.…”

Improvement of Maize Productivity and N Use Efficiency in a No-Tillage Irrigated Farming System: Effect of Cropping Sequence and Fertilization Management

“…Nonetheless, the long-term application of MN causes several soil problems, like reducing SOC and increasing soil acidity [ 59 , 60 ], as well as the adverse environmental effects usually accompanying the application of the high MN rates. In addition, the continuously increasing prices of MN fertilizers are putting on an additional financial burden on the smallholder farmers in the low-input agricultural systems [ 61 ].…”