Evaluation of nutritional characteristics of triticale varieties

Abstract

This study was to investigate the differences in the chemical constituents of a number of triticale varieties grown at three different sites.

The work highlighted a number of significant differences in chemical composition between varieties. The number of differences attributable to site emphasis that growing conditions can significantly influence the composition of the grain. Further work on agronomic information which may explain these differences would be useful.

In nutritional terms the differences between varieties appear relatively small. Since the results all generally lie within the range of values found in samples used in 'in-vivo' trials then published measured energy values can be used with confidence with these particular varieties. Had a wider range of results been found then further feeding trials looking at individual varieties might have been justified.

Triticale can contain components such as trypsin inhibitors which have a negative effect on animal growth and performance. This study made no attempt to assess these to ascertain if varietal differences exist. Feeding trials would be necessary to determine their effect on individual species. This work could be of considerable importance to plant breeders.

The exercise to calculate marginal prices showed triticale to have a similar value to wheat in the pig and poultry formulations and a slightly higher value in the ruminant formulation, though only for a very low inclusion rate in the latter. Further work could give clearer picture of the value of triticale by determining the marginal price in a wider range of formulations and examining the sensitivity of these to factors such as changes in other ingredient prices.