R. D. Barnett

Environmental stability and heritability estimates for grain yield and test weight in triticale

Hexaploid triticale has many advantages over both parental species for both grain and forage production in certain environments. Additional information on environmental stability and heritability would be desirable to develop appropriate selection strategies in the production of superior widely-adapted cultivars. The grain yield of 22 diverse genotypes grown at four ecologically-distinct geographical locations [Quincy, FL, USA (approximate geographical coordinates (AGC) = 30°N 84°W, approximate elevation (AE) = 58 m), Plains, GA, USA (AGC = 32°N 84°W, AE = 76 m), Bozeman, MT USA (AGC = 45°N 111°W, AE = 1458 m), and Aberdeen, ID, USA (AGC = 42°N 112°W, AE = 1360 m)] was measured in two years with winter and spring planting dates only at Bozeman and Aberdeen. Test weight (grain weight in a given volume) was determined for two years at Bozeman and Aberdeen at both planting dates and one year at Quincy. Stability analyses indicated that significant (P < 0.01) variation in means, regression coefficients, and deviation mean squares of the genotypes were present for both characters. Realized heritability (h2) estimates were as follows: grain yield ranged from −0.02 to 0.80 with a mean of 0.57; test weight ranged from 0.63 to 1.05 with a mean of 0.93. The results indicated that substantial genetic variation is present and selection for widely-adapted cultivars would be effective for both characters especially test weight.

YIELD AND MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES OAT CULTIVARS USED FOR FORAGE

A shift in oat (Avena sativa L.) production from grain to forage (hay and grazing) is occurring in the southeastern USA. However, most available cultivars were developed for improved grain production, rather than forage yield. We field tested several standard and new oat releases over 2 years, using repeated clippings to determine forage yield, nutrient uptake, and the potential to match plant nutrients with cattle mineral dietary needs. There were no differences in total annual forage yield among the tested cultivars within years but there was a difference between years. Forage tissue phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were sufficient, potassium (K), sulfur (S), and manganese (Mn) were excessive, and iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were occasionally or frequently deficient to meet daily cattle dietary mineral needs. Sulfur, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn may be the most challenging to regulate in U.S. Coastal Plain soils at concentrations that satisfy both, oat and cattle nutritional requirements.

Synthetic Amino Acid Supplementation of Triticale and Wheat Based Diets for Growing-Finishing Pigs

Dietary supplementation of feed grade synthetic amino acids may be more advantageous for diets based on triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) or soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestiuum) than maize (Zea mays L.) for growing and fmishing pigs (25 to 109 kg). Four trials, involving 190 pigs, were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of triticale and wheat based diets with synthetic lysine and threonine for growing and finishing pigs. Substantial replacement of supplemental protein (soybean meal) with synthetic lysine and threonine did not affect pig growth or carcass lean content (P>.10). In fact, complete or nearly complete replacement of soybean meal occurred for finishing pig (55 to 109 kg) diets formulated with triticale.