Effect of different cutting times on grass yield and quality of wheat and triticalle

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of harvest times on yield and quality in wheat and triticale. Due to diverse soil and climate conditions across different regions in our country, Turkey hosts cultivation of numerous forage crops. The demand for roughage is increasing daily but cannot be met with sufficient quality. Cereal crops, including wheat, are a promising alternative to fill this roughage deficit. In this study, optimal periods for highest yield and quality of wheat and triticale were explored. The research was carried out between 2022-2023 at the experimental fields of Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Bread wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum) Stoyana and Prima, and triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack) were used in the experiment. Plants were harvested at five different growth stages: Zadoks 43-45, Zadoks 50-57, Zadoks 60-69, Zadoks 75, and Zadoks 83. Plant height, fresh yield per unit area, dry matter yield per unit area, crude protein, hemicellulose , cellulose, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and neutral detergent fiber values were analyzed in harvested samples. The highest green forage yield of 3726 kg/ha was observed in the 3rd harvest period with the Stoyana variety, while the highest dry matter yield of 1300 kg/ha was recorded in the 4th harvest period with the Stoyana variety. The highest crude protein content of 18.45% was observed in the Prima variety during the 1st harvest period. The lowest green forage yield of 1860 kg/ha was recorded in the 1st harvest period with the Prima variety, and the lowest dry matter yield of 413,3 kg/ha was also measured in the 1st harvest period with the Prima variety. The lowest crude protein content of 9.66% was measured in the 5th harvest period with the triticale variety. When comparing ADF ratios, the highest ADF content of 28.06% was measured in the 5th harvest period with the Stoyana variety, while the lowest ADF value of 22.48% was observed in the 1st harvest period with the Stoyana variety.