Determination of silage characteristics and nutritional values of some triticale genotypes

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine silage characteristics and relative feed values of triticale genotypes to be used for silage. 6 different cultivars and 4 lines of triticale were used as plant material in the study. Experiment was carried out in randomized block design with 3 replications under Bingöl conditions. The experimental plots were harvested at dough stage of the plants, ensiled into 5 kg plastic jars and opened after 60 days. Results revealed that dry matter content of the silage varied between 35.54% and 41.46%, protein content between 7.34% and 10.25%, raw ash content between 5.21% and 7.19%, NDF content between 51.24% and 60.00%, ADF content between 33.93% and 39.47%, lactic acid content between 48.12 and 59.25 g kg-1 DM, acetic acid content between 15.41 and 19.22 g kg-1 DM, propionic acid between 2.86 and 4.21 g kg-1 DM, pH between 4.55 and 4.93, Fleig score between 78.74 and 99.48, digestibility of dry matter between 57.42% and 62.21%, dry matter intake between 1.99% and 2.30%, relative feed value between 88.55 and 110.90, depending on the genotypes. It was concluded that triticale could be used as a quality silage crop for animal feeding.