Study on the adaptability of forage triticale in southern and northern Hunan

To assess the adaptability of forage triticale in southern and northern Hunan, this study investigated the growth period, agronomic traits, forage yield, and nutritional quality of four triticale genotypes and one rye genotype. The experiments were conducted at Xiangbei Experimental Station and Xiangnan Experimental Station. The results indicated that all five genotypes exhibited normal maturation at both stations, with growth periods ranging from 173 to 191 days in Xiangbei and 168 to 185 days in Xiangnan. Plant height ranged from 113.92 to 147.96 cm in Xiangbei and from 125.30 to 176.47 cm in Xiangnan. The number of tillers ranged from 2.2800 to 3.1367 million·ha⁻¹ in Xiangbei and 2.1500 to 3.3067 million·ha⁻¹ in Xiangnan. Additionally, the number of green leaves per plant ranged from 1.63 to 2.37 in Xiangbei and 1.43 to 3.33 in Xiangnan, while the fresh weight varied from 34.27 to 49.95 t·ha⁻¹ in Xiangbei and 30.46 to 52.37 t·ha⁻¹ in Xiangnan. Hay yield ranged from 8.19 to 14.27 t·ha⁻¹ in Xiangbei and 6.78 to 15.90 t·ha⁻¹ in Xiangnan. The nutritional composition, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, ether extract, crude ash, and water-soluble carbohydrate contents at Xiangbei Experimental Station were in the ranges of 10.47% to 12.25%, 62.07% to 71.71%, 31.07% to 41.69%, 18.37% to 22.64%, 5.02% to 8.37%, 6.85% to 10.02%, and 2.00% to 12.04%, respectively. At Xiangnan Experimental Station, the corresponding ranges were 9.28% to 13.51% for crude protein, 65.60% to 72.86% for neutral detergent fiber, 36.14% to 41.37% for acid detergent fiber, 18.24% to 23.85% for acid detergent lignin, 5.35% to 7.93% for ether extract, 5.91% to 8.69% for crude ash, and 2.81% to 8.94% for water-soluble carbohydrate. Among the genotypes, ‘Zhongsi 3297’ exhibited no lodging, while ‘Zhongsi 1640’ showed light lodging at Xiangnan Experimental Station. Considering the combined factors of forage yield and nutritional quality, ‘Zhongsi 3297’ demonstrated the best performance and is recommended for wider cultivation in both the southern and northern regions of Hunan Province. ‘Zhongsi 1640’ also performed well and is recommended for expanded cultivation specifically in the southern regions of Hunan Province.