Yield and Quality of Cereal and Cereal-Pea Companion Crops and Their Effect on Alfalfa Establishment
Publication Date
1997
Description
This study was carried out to determine the effect of management practices (harvest maturity, cereal species, mixtures with field peas (Pisum sativum)) on the yield and quality of cereal companion crops harvested for forage and the impact of those practices on subsequent alfalfa (Medicago sativa) yields. Replicated factorial experiments were conducted at three locations in northern Ontario from 1993 to 1995. Companion crop forage yields were increased and quality decreased by harvesting as the heads emerged as compared to the late boot stage. Triticale (X Triticosecale) was lower yielding than either oats (Avena sativa) or barley (Hordeum vulgare). Triticale quality was higher primarily due to a higher content of underseeded alfalfa in the harvested forage. Adding peas to cereal companion crops increased crude protein by 2 to 5 percentage units and decreased NDF by 3 to 7 percentage units. Companion crop management usually had no effect on followingyear alfalfa yields, except when cereal regrowth was unusually vigorous. Recommendations for companion crop management specific to the intended end-use can now be formulated.
Citation
Johnston, J E., "Yield and Quality of Cereal and Cereal-Pea Companion Crops and Their Effect on Alfalfa Establishment" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 12.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session22/12
Included in
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Yield and Quality of Cereal and Cereal-Pea Companion Crops and Their Effect on Alfalfa Establishment
This study was carried out to determine the effect of management practices (harvest maturity, cereal species, mixtures with field peas (Pisum sativum)) on the yield and quality of cereal companion crops harvested for forage and the impact of those practices on subsequent alfalfa (Medicago sativa) yields. Replicated factorial experiments were conducted at three locations in northern Ontario from 1993 to 1995. Companion crop forage yields were increased and quality decreased by harvesting as the heads emerged as compared to the late boot stage. Triticale (X Triticosecale) was lower yielding than either oats (Avena sativa) or barley (Hordeum vulgare). Triticale quality was higher primarily due to a higher content of underseeded alfalfa in the harvested forage. Adding peas to cereal companion crops increased crude protein by 2 to 5 percentage units and decreased NDF by 3 to 7 percentage units. Companion crop management usually had no effect on followingyear alfalfa yields, except when cereal regrowth was unusually vigorous. Recommendations for companion crop management specific to the intended end-use can now be formulated.
