Effects of Different Seeding Rates and Cutting Times on the Forage Yield and Forage Quality of Autotetraploid Perennial Rye (Secale montanum Guss.)

Authors: İLKNUR AKGÜN, METİN TOSUN, MAHMUT TAŞPINAR, SEVİM SAĞSÖZ

Abstract: This research was carried out in 1995-97, in Erzurum ecological conditions, in order to study the effects of different seeding rates (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 seeds/m^2) and cutting times (at shooting, boot, heading and flowering stages) on hay yield and quality. The effects of seeding rates on fresh and dry hay yields, crude protein content and crude protein yield were significant while P, Ca, Mg, K, and ash contents and tetany value were not significant, based on the research. According to cutting times, all characteristics examined showed significant differences. Delayed cuttings applied at the flowering stage reduced fresh and hay yields (compared with boot stage and heading) and quality (compared with shooting, boot stage and heading). It was concluded that autotetraploid perennial rye should be cut at the heading stage to obtain high quality hay yield, when sown in 30 cm spaced rows and 400 seeds/m^2 (6.4 kg/da) under Erzurum and similar ecological conditions.

Keywords: Secale montanum Guss., seeding rates, cutting times, hay yield and quality.

Full Text: PDF