Influence of Seeding Date and Growing Season Conditions on Forage Yield and Quality of Four Annual Crops in Northeastern Saskatchewan

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 on a Black Chernozem (Udic Boroll) silty clay soil at Melfort, Saskatchewan, to determine the effects of seeding date on forage dry-matter yield (DMY) and quality [protein and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents] of four annual crops [barley (Hordium vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack L.), and foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv; hereafter called Golden German millet)] with various maturities as well as different growing-season temperature and moisture requirements. Seeding date had a significant effect on forage DMY of all four crops in each 2002 and 2003. In 2002, the greatest forage DMY for barley, oat, triticale, and Golden German millet was achieved on 3 July, 22 June, 3 July, and 24 May, respectively. In 2003, the greatest forage DMY was from the 24 May seeding date for all four crops. In both 2002 and 2003, protein content in forage tended to decrease as DMY increased in all crops. In 2002, protein content in forage tended to be greater for the cereals with the early seeding dates and lowest days to harvest. The greatest protein content in forage for Golden German millet occurred at the latest seeding date but the fewest days to harvest. In 2003, the greatest protein content in forage occurred at the latest seeding date and fewest days to maturity for all four crops. In both 2002 and2003, ADF content in forage responded inversely to protein content in forage. The ADF content in forage tended to increase as DMY of all crops increased and days to harvest increased. The seeding date for maximum DMY of cool-season crops was greatly influenced by the growing-season conditions in this study whereas the seeding date of the one warm-season crop was not. In conclusion, the findings suggest that date of seeding of annual forage crops would affect forage yield, and rainfall distribution throughout the growing season also plays a significant role in annual crop forage yields. As long as there is adequate precipitation later in the growing season, late seeding can also result in good forage yields.

Physicochemical properties and lubricant potentials of Blighia sapida Sapindaceaeae seed oil in solid dosage formulations

“…The low yield of the oil (12.5 %) compared to those recorded in previous studies; 21.6 % [9], 15.61% [14], 21.0 % [15] might be attributed to various factors such as the differences in the genetic make-up of the plants, maturity of the plant at time of collection and place of collection of the plant materials [16], and also mode of extraction employed in the different studies. Hence, there is need for optimization of extraction process prior to large scale seed valorization.…”

“…The lower the acid value of oil, the fewer free fatty acids it contains which makes it less exposed to rancidity [14,16]. Acid value could also be used to check the level of oxidative deterioration of oil by enzymatic or chemical oxidation.…”

Intercropping of Corn With Some Selected Legumes for Improved Forage Production: A Review

“…Protein content in forage may likely to decrease as dry matter yield increased (Foster & Malhi, 2013), the protein content in forage tended to be superior for the cereals with the early planting date and lowest existences to harvest. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) content of forage retorted inversely to protein content of forage, but has a tendency to increase as dry matter yield increased with increased days to harvest (Foster & Malhi, 2013). Widdicombe and Thelen (2002) reported that crude protein contents of forage maize were negatively related with plant density.…”

“…The NDF and ADF contents are important in rations formulation because they reflect the amount of forage that can be used up by animals (Lithourgidis et al, 2006). Protein content in forage may likely to decrease as dry matter yield increased (Foster & Malhi, 2013), the protein content in forage tended to be superior for the cereals with the early planting date and lowest existences to harvest. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) content of forage retorted inversely to protein content of forage, but has a tendency to increase as dry matter yield increased with increased days to harvest (Foster & Malhi, 2013).…”

Effect of intercropping of corn and soybean on dry matteryield and nutritive value of forage corn

“…However the forage acid detergent fiber (ADF) content responded inversely to the protein content of forage ADF showed increased tendency as dry matter yield increased with prolonged harvest days (Foster and malhi, 2013). Dry matter yield and CP of forages were improved using legume intercropps in comparison with the corn sole crop.…”