96
Triticale Variety Trials in the Klamath Basin
Randy L. Dovel and Greg Chilocote l
INTRODUCTION
Triticale shows promise as feed in poultry and other livestock rations. There has
been very little triticale varietal testing in the area. Inquiries to the Experiment Station
and Extension Service about triticale production and marketing are frequent and there is
a lack of information on adapted varieties. Also, variable grain quality (mainly crude
protein concentration) between varieties has been a problem in the acceptance of this
commodity. Varietal evaluation of spring and winter triticale has been conducted at the
Klamath Experiment Station for two years to determine both yield potential and grain
quality of released and promising triticale varieties. Initial varietal evaluation has been
promising with yields exceeding those of spring wheat and roughly equivalent to spring
barley. Grain crude protein concentration ranged from 9.9 to 15.5 percent in 1992.
Further testing is needed to positively identify high yielding, high quality triticale
varieties for this region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The triticale variety trial at KES was established on land planted in potatoes the
previous year. Soils at the station include Poe, Fordney, and Hosley series, all of which
have a fine loamy to sandy texture, and are moderately deep and somewhat poorly
drained. Plots were irrigated by a solid-set sprinkler system. Standard varieties of spring
wheat and barley were included in the trial to compare yield of triticale to these more
traditional commodities.
The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four
replications. Seed was planted on May 1 at a depth of 1 inch with a seeding rate of 30
seeds per square foot. The crop was fertilized with 100 lb N, 60 lb P 7 05 , and 44 lb S/A at
time of seeding. Plots measured 5 x 20 feet with a row spacing of 6 inches. Bromoxynil
and MCPA were applied at labeled rates to control broadleaf weeds. Grain was
harvested in late September using a plot combine with a 5-foot wide header. Grain yield
was recorded for all plots. Test weight was measured in only one replication. Lodging,
plant height, and heading date were recorded for each plot prior to harvest. Heading
date was determined by estimating the date of 50 percent head emergence.
1
/ Associate Professor and Research Technician, respectively, Klamath Experiment
Station, Klamath Falls, OR.
Acknowledgment: Partial financial support for this study from the Oregon Grains
Commission is gratefully recognized.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Grain yields were slightly higher in 1993 than the previous year (Tables 1 and 2).
The highest yielding triticale variety in 1992, Eronga 83, ranked fourth in 1993. Juan,
91F 26016, and 91F 25012 were the highest yielding varieties in 1993, producing
significantly more than all wheat and barley entries in the trial. When averaged over two
years, 91F 26016 was the highest yielding entry in the trial, followed closely by Eronga
83, 91F 25012, and Juan. Average triticale yield over a two-year period was higher than
the average wheat yield and slightly lower than the average barley yield.
Test weights of newer triticale varieties are superior to older varieties such as
Whitman and Karl. Average test weight for all triticale varieties was 55.8 and 55.3 lb/bu
in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Average test weight ranged from 49.0 lb/bu for Whitman
to 60 ib/bu for Rhino However, higher yielding varieties ranged between 53 and 57
lb/bu.
Grain protein content of the 1993 harvest has not been determined at this time.
Results from 1992 show a wide range in protein content between varieties. It will be
interesting to see if relative protein contents of the various varieties are consistent across
years. Triticale protein contents ranged from 9.9 percent (similar to Gustoe barley) to
15.5 percent (higher than hard red wheats). Average triticale protein content was much
higher than the protein content of barley varieties included in the trial. Hippo and 16-A
had the highest protein contents, but both selections produced low yields. In general,
high yields were associated with low protein content. This is common in small grains. Of
the five highest yielding varieties, only UC 86 and RSI 2700 had protein levels above 12
percent.
There was no lodging in 1992 or 1993. Triticale plant height in 1993 was generally
higher than all barley varieties in the trial. Some of the shorter triticale entries were of
similar height to Fieldwin, a soft white wheat. However, some entries were very tall, with
RSI 2000 almost reaching 5 feet.
CONCLUSIONS
Triticale shows significant yield potential in the Klamath Basin. Top yielding
commercially available varieties can match or exceed the highest yielding barley and
wheat varieties currently grown in the area. Grain protein concentration varied greatly
between varieties. As in other grain commodities, triticale grain protein concentration
appears to be inversely proportional to yield. It is hoped that further testing will identify
high yielding varieties with acceptable protein concentrations.
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Table 1. 1993 Triticale Variety Trial. Grain yield, test weight, lodging, plant height, and
days to 50 percent heading of spring triticale, barley, and wheat lines planted at
the Klamath Experiment Station, OR.
Yield
Test
Weight
Lodge
Height
Heading
Date
lb/A
lb/bu
%
inches
Julian
Steptoe
1
Gustoe
2
Barley Mean
5099
4408
4754
50.0
47.0
48.5
0
0
0
29
19
24
192
201
197
Fieldwin
3
4
Yecora Rojo
West bred 926
5
Wheat Mean
4988
3973
3979
4313
59.5
61.5
61.5
60.8
0
0
0
0
35
21
29
28
211
193
194
199
Entry
Selection
6
7
8
9
10
Juan
Stier
Rhino "S"
UC 84
Hippo "S"
6234
4545
5164
4796
4298
52.5
57.0
60.0
59.5
56.5
0
0
0
0
0
42
37
39
38
30
204
203
197
197
196
11
12
13
14
15
UC 86
Grace
Victoria
RSI 2700
91F 26016
91F 25003
91F 25001
91F 25007
91F 25012
91F 25102
Karl
Eronga 83
Alamos 83
Sunlarid
Florida 201
4966
5439
5403
5479
6283
0
0
0
0
0
32
43
37
56
41
197
208
203
208
201
5113
4394
5259
5905
5505
59.0
51.0
54.5
51.5
57.0
56.5
56.0
59.0
55.0
58.0
0
0
0
0
0
38
35
34
41
37
4460
5659
4321
4365
5462
52.0
54.0
51.0
54.5
53.0
0
0
0
0
0
31
42
32
38
43
202
207
196
201
197
198
203
201
208
203
Whitman
26
Frank
27
28
Norico
29
16-A
16-12
30
31
16-13
Triticale Mean
3479
5286
4358
3747
5107
4686
4989
47.0
57.0
56.5
59.0
54.0
58.0
553
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
40
39
49
42
38
40
39
215
203
199
202
201
204
202
Overall Mean
CV (%)
LSD (0.05)
4847
11
721
55.5
0
0
0
37
5
3
202
1
2
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
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Table 2. Two-year summary of grain yield and test weight of spring triticale, barley, and wheat
lines planted at the Klamath Experiment Station, OR.
Entry
Selection
1992
Grain yield
1993
Avg
1992
Steptoe
Gustoe
Barley Mean
3
4
5
Fieldwin
Yecora Rojo
Westbred 926
Wheat Mean
Avg
lb/bu lb/A 1
2
Test weight
1993
6028
5001
5099
4408
5564
4705
51.5
52.0
50.0
47.0
50.8
49.5
5515
4754
5135
51.8
48.5
50.2
4492
3046
4519
4988
3973
3979
4740
3510
4249
64.0
61.5
63.5
59.5
61.5
61.5
61.8
61.5
62.5
4019
4313
4166
63.0
60.8
61.9
6
7
8
9
10
Juan
Stier
Rhino
UC 84
Hippo
5104
4741
5051
5212
3741
6234
4545
5164
4796
4298
5669
4643
5108
5004
4020
55.0
58.0
60.0
59.0
57.0
52.5
57.0
60.0
59.5
56.5
53.8
57.5
60.0
59.3
56.8
11
12
13
14
15
UC 86
Grace
Victoria
RSI 2700
91F 26016
4446
4856
4688
5115
5396
4966
5439
5403
5479
6283
4706
5148
5046
5297
5840
57.5
53.0
51.0
52.0
56.0
59.0
51.0
54.5
51.5
57.0
58.3
52.0
52.8
51.8
56.5
16
17
18
19
20
91F 25003
91F 25001
91F 25007
91F 25012
91F 26102
5070
4451
4811
5431
5029
5113
4394
5259
5905
5505
5092
4423
5035
5668
5267
57.5
57.0
57.5
55.5
57.5
56.5
56.0
59.0
55.0
58.0
57.0
56.5
58.3
55.3
57.8
21
22
23
24
25
Karl
Eronga 83
ALAMOS 83
Sunland
Florida 201
3881
5922
4838
3604
3923
4460
5659
4321
4365
5462
4171
5791
4580
3985
4693
52.5
55.0
54.5
58.0
54.5
52.0
54.0
51.0
54.5
53.0
52.3
54.5
52.8
56.3
53.8
26
27
28
29
30
Whitman
Frank
Norico
16-A
16-12
3570
4888
5096
3865
4657
3479
5286
4358
3747
5107
3525
5087
4727
3806
4882
51.0
55.0
56.0
58.0
55.0
47.0
57.0
56.5
59.0
54.0
49.0
56.0
56.3
58.5
54.5
31
16-13
4713
4686
4700
57.0
58.0
57.5
Triticale Mean
4696
4989
4843
55.8
55.3
55.6
Overall Mean
LSD (0.05)
4683
778
4908
721
4796
473
56.2
55.4
55.8