What is triticale: cultivation and use

In modern agriculture, more and more attention is being paid to crops that combine high yields, disease resistance and adaptation to different climatic conditions.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what triticale is, what are the specifics of its cultivation, what benefits it brings to farmers, and how it is used – from livestock to food processing.

Triticale – what is it?

Triticale is a new generation of crops created by crossbreeding wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale), as reflected in its name. This hybrid combines the most valuable agronomic qualities of both cereals: the yield and protein value of wheat with the stability and endurance of rye.

Triticale first appeared in 1888, when German breeder Wilhelm Rimpau successfully crossed the two species. Although this crop was first developed in scientific laboratories, it later gained the interest of farmers due to its unique properties.

Unlike traditional cereals, triticale has no natural analogues – it is a completely artificially bred plant. Its main advantage is its versatility: it easily adapts to different soils and climatic conditions, withstands drought and produces stable yields even where other crops fail. 

Triticale is widely used as a fodder crop, but recently there has been growing interest in its use in the food industry, particularly for the production of high-protein flour.

The nutritional value of triticale is also worthy of attention. Its calorific value is only 274 kcal per 100 grams, which is lower than that of wheat or rye. At the same time, the protein content is higher: 1-1.5% higher than in wheat and 3-4% higher than in rye. It is especially important that triticale protein is rich in essential amino acids – lysine, valine, threonine, arginine, glycine – which are key to a healthy metabolism.

Triticale grain is also rich in micro- and macroelements: phosphorus, copper, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium and manganese, as well as vitamins B (B1, B5, B9), E and PP. This chemical composition makes it a promising crop not only for fodder but also for functional foods.

Although triticale has not yet achieved the same popularity as wheat or rye, its potential is growing rapidly. And not only because of its yields, but also because of its role in the development of sustainable agriculture – at the intersection of science, economics and healthy lifestyles.

Characteristics and appearance of triticale

Triticale is a high-yielding cereal crop that has distinctive morphological characteristics that combine the features of rye and wheat. The plant has wide, erect, lanceolate leaves, coloured grey or dark green with a characteristic waxy bloom. 

This feature helps to reduce moisture evaporation and increase resistance to drought. Triticale leaves emerge earlier than wheat and retain their rich colour for longer, which ensures efficient photosynthesis throughout the growing season.

The root system is fibrous, well developed, and penetrates the soil to a depth of more than 1.5 cm, which ensures good plant fixation and high drought resistance. The stem of the triticale is strong, thickened at the base, so that even tall varieties have increased resistance to lodging. Depending on the purpose of use, there are grain and fodder varieties: the former reach a height of 70-120 cm, while the latter can grow up to 180 cm.

The triticale inflorescence is a dense, complex ear that resembles a wheat ear, but is more massive and resistant to shedding. The grains are yellow-brown in colour, have a wrinkled surface with a central groove and a tuft in the upper part. Even after full ripening, the grain does not crumble, which greatly facilitates mechanised harvesting.

The weight of a thousand grains varies between 40-60 grams, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Agronomists have already bred a number of triticale varieties that differ in height, maturity and productivity, all depending on the combination of rye and wheat genetic lines used in the breeding.

Due to the dense structure of the ear and the peculiarities of the grain shell, it is recommended to use efficient fans and grain cleaning equipment to clean and prepare the crop for storage or processing. This guarantees a high-quality end product for both feed and food purposes.

Advantages and disadvantages of triticale

Triticale is a crop that combines the best properties of wheat and rye, and at the same time has its own set of unique advantages that make it extremely promising in modern agricultural production.

The main advantages are as follows:

• high yields – an average of 6 tonnes per hectare, which is significantly higher than wheat and rye;

• dense ear structure, thanks to which the crop forms a large amount of high-grade grain;

• resistance to common fungal diseases such as Fusarium, Septoria, rust, and immunity to potato disease;

• unpretentiousness to soil type – triticale grows well even on poor, acidic or sandy soils;

• frost resistance – germinates at +1…+2°C, withstands temperature drops to -20°C at the level of the tillering node;

• drought tolerance – requires less moisture for vegetation than wheat and feels good even at +40°C;

• light-loving – intensive growth and accumulation of nutrients with long daylight hours;

• high content of protein and amino acids, especially lysine – triticale has a high biological value;

• ability to self-pollination, which ensures stable yields;

• high yield of green mass, which makes the crop valuable for fodder use;

• unpretentiousness to crop rotation and agricultural background, which simplifies the planning of agricultural operations;

• environmental friendliness – reduced need for pesticides due to innate resistance to pathogens.

However, despite its impressive list of advantages, triticale also has some peculiarities that should be taken into account. In particular, one of the main difficulties is threshing – the grain is tightly held in the ear and is not always easy to separate during harvesting, which makes the mechanised process difficult. 

There is also a tendency to form wrinkled, insufficiently filled grain, especially under adverse conditions. Sometimes, after flowering, amylase activity increases, which negatively affects the starch composition – this is important to consider when growing the crop for the food industry.

Another nuance is that triticale is an artificially created hybrid, and although it is not a classic GMO, some consumers and producers are cautious about it. In addition, the crop is not yet as widely known as traditional wheat or rye, so its market is still developing and sales may be less stable in some regions.

However, all these difficulties are not critical – they can be easily resolved with a competent agronomic approach. Triticale demonstrates high profitability, adaptability to climate change and prospects for development in both the feed and food sectors.

Why triticale is grown

Modern agriculture is increasingly focusing on triticale as a crop with a wide range of applications. In Ukraine, it is mainly grown for fodder, but the potential of this plant is much wider – from industrial processing to food and biofuel production.

First of all, triticale is used as a highly efficient feed for livestock: poultry, pigs, and cattle. Both green mass and fodder grains are used in livestock farming, and triticale’s feed properties demonstrate high results. 

For example, replacing up to 40% of dry feed with triticale fodder can increase live weight gain in pigs by up to 20%, and in cattle by up to 17%. It is especially convenient to use the green mass of this crop in the interval between harvesting winter and perennial grasses, as this is the period when there is often a shortage of fresh fodder.

In addition to livestock, triticale is important for industry. Its grain is used to produce starch, beer malt, and bioethanol, an environmentally friendly fuel that is increasingly developing in the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources. Ukraine has all the prerequisites for efficient production of triticale-based bioethanol: it has suitable soils and a well-developed processing infrastructure.

It is also worth noting that triticale has long been used in the food industry abroad. Its grain is used to make flour, which has a creamy colour, sweet taste and a light nutty aroma. Thanks to these organoleptic properties, it is perfect for confectionery – cookies, muffins, pastries and even cakes. 

Although the gluten in triticale is of lower quality, this is compensated by the structure of the dough: pastries made from this flour are airy and do not stale for a long time, which makes it attractive for bakeries and home use.

Triticale is not only a feed alternative to classic cereals, but also a promising raw material for bioenergy, starch processing and the food industry. With the right approach to breeding, processing and marketing, this crop can become an important element of the modern agricultural economy.

The best predecessors and selection of triticale varieties

Successful triticale cultivation does not start with sowing, but with the right choice of predecessor. It is this link in the technological chain that determines the yield potential, plant resistance to diseases and even grain quality. According to research conducted by the Myronivsky Institute of Wheat named after V.M. Remeslo, the difference in yield between fields where triticale was sown after good and bad predecessors reached 1-2 tonnes per hectare in favour of the former.

In areas with sufficient moisture, the best predecessors for triticale are green manure pairs – lupine, sainfoin, and annual sweet clover. These crops enrich the soil with organic matter, improve the structure of the topsoil and reduce the risk of pathogen damage. Instead, in steppe regions with unstable moisture levels, especially on black soil and chestnut soils, triticale is best sown after black fallow, which accumulates moisture and allows the plant to start in the most favourable conditions.

However, it is not always possible to establish fallow in real farming conditions. In such cases, it is acceptable to sow triticale after legumes, cereal-legume mixtures for fodder, corn or rape. These crops leave fewer pathogens in the soil and create satisfactory conditions for the hybrid’s growth. The worst predecessors are other cereals (wheat, rye, barley), as they accumulate pathogens such as rust, Septoria, downy mildew, powdery mildew – diseases dangerous for triticale that reduce the quality and quantity of the crop.

An equally important decision is to choose a variety that is suitable for the purpose and growing conditions. More than two dozen varieties of winter triticale recommended for the Forest-Steppe region are registered in the State Register of Ukraine. Among them: ADM 11, Obriy Myronivskyi, Alkid, Polianske, Rarityt, Ratne, Volemyr, Molfar, Vizerunok, Polissia 7 and others.

These varieties have a number of common features that ensure high yields (up to 8.5-10.5 t/ha in favourable years):

1. Short stem (105-115 cm) and resistant to lodging.

2. Dense stem stand – 600-700 productive stems per 1 m².

3. A powerful ear with 50-60 grains.

4. Well-filled grain weighing 55-60 g per 1000 seeds.

5. Disease resistance and low need for fungicide protection.

When choosing a variety, you should first of all focus on its purpose: for harvesting grain or for green mass. When it comes to grain, the most important indicators are grain alignment, protein content, falling number, and germination resistance. Equally important are frost and drought resistance, resistance to lodging and diseases, including powdery mildew, rust, fusarium, rhynchosporium, Septoria and ergot.

When assessing morphological characteristics, one should take into account the number of productive stems, ears per ear, and grain weight per ear – these factors form the final yield.

In summary, the right combination of the optimal precursor and a well-chosen triticale variety is the key to a stable, profitable harvest, even in unstable weather conditions.

How to properly grow triticale

Triticale is a promising crop, but at the same time it requires a competent agronomic approach. To fully realise its potential, it is important to take into account a number of key factors: from the choice of location in the crop rotation to sowing dates, fertilisation, pest and disease protection, and harvesting conditions.

In this section, we will take a step-by-step look at the main stages of triticale cultivation technology that allow you to get stable, high yields even in difficult climatic conditions. In particular, we will discuss the optimal sowing time, seeding depth, fertiliser system, plant protection methods, and the specifics of grain and green mass harvesting.

Properly built agrotechnology is the basis of triticale profitability in both grain and fodder production.

Preparing the soil for triticale

The success of triticale cultivation largely depends on the quality of soil preparation. Since this crop is sown in autumn, the main task of tillage is to accumulate and retain moisture in the autumn and winter period and to provide favourable conditions for the plants to overwinter.

It is particularly important to retain moisture in the one-metre layer of soil. One of the techniques recommended by agronomists in favourable years is the creation of wings. These are strips of tall plants (such as corn, Sudanese grass or sunflower) that are sown in June so that their stems have time to become lignified by autumn. These ridges retain snow on the field, contributing to the formation of a thick snow cover. As a result, according to research, the amount of available moisture can increase by 80-100 mm, which is equivalent to three months of summer rainfall.

Backstage areas are especially useful in years with snowy winters: a thick snow layer helps young triticale plants to overwinter in the 2-3 leaf stage, providing them with thermal insulation and protection from freezing. If the same crops (corn, sunflower) were used as predecessors, you can simply leave narrow strips of unharvested or underharvested stems – they will also serve as snow retention.

However, in today’s climate of climate instability and frequent winters with little snow, the use of wedges is not always justified. In some cases, it can become an additional, inefficient expense for the farm. Therefore, each decision should be made taking into account the specific region, the current year, the availability of equipment and the capabilities of the farm.

In any case, the main criterion for preparing the soil for triticale is to preserve moisture and create a uniform, well-levelled sowing surface with an optimal structure. This is what will ensure friendly germination, resistance to overwintering and high starting potential of the crop in spring.

Sowing triticale

Proper organisation of the sowing campaign is the key to successful triticale cultivation. Not only the yield, but also the crop’s resistance to weather stress and disease directly depends on the timing, depth of seeding, quality of seed and treatment with disinfectants.

Sowing dates depend on the region: in the north of Ukraine, the best time is the end of August, while in the southern regions it is the last days of September. In general, we should focus on the standard terms for winter cereals, but we should take into account the availability of moisture in the one-metre and sowing layers, as well as temperature dynamics. 

Triticale, unlike wheat, is less sensitive to late sowing and, even if sown late, can form a strong root system and highly productive crops. Due to its rapid growth, the crop outperforms winter wheat and rye in terms of yields if all three were sown late.

In case of early sowing, warm autumn and sufficient moisture, triticale can form up to 12 stems per plant, which directly affects the yield. If the crop is grown for green mass, sowing can be carried out in several stages – with an interval of 8-10 days, choosing varieties with different ripening periods. 

This tactic allows for a long and even harvesting period. At the same time, there is no overgrowth of triticale in the green fodder phase, which is its undoubted advantage.

Sowing depth is determined by soil moisture and ranges from 5-12 cm. The crop shows the best results on chernozems with sufficient nutrition and moisture retention. On sandy or peaty soils, yields may be lower.

Before sowing, it is recommended to apply nitroammophoska at a rate of 150 kg/ha, and in the spring, to additionally feed the plants with nitrogen. When using organic matter, 20-25 t/ha for chernozem soils and 35-40 t/ha for non-chernozem soils. This level of nutrition creates optimal conditions for the formation of a strong root system and active tillering.

Seed must be carefully selected: a large fraction of seeds (weight of 1000 grains – at least 40 g) ensures high growth vigour and field germination. Smaller seeds have a weaker start and lower viability, especially in difficult weather conditions.

To protect seedlings from smut, alternaria, ergot, and root rot, seeds must be treated with fungicidal treatments. In case of a threat from soil pests or early sowing, an insecticide should also be added. Due to the wrinkled grain structure and pronounced tufting, the working fluid consumption should be increased to 12-13 litres per tonne (compared to the standard 10 litres) to ensure that the seed surface is fully covered with a protective film.

High-quality sowing is not just the beginning, but the foundation of the entire agricultural season. For triticale, as a crop with a powerful potential, proper sowing determines 70% of the future harvest.

Pre-sowing seed treatment

Proper pre-sowing preparation of triticale seeds is the first and most important step towards a healthy, uniform sowing and a full harvest. It not only protects future plants from a wide range of diseases, but also prevents pest damage at the early stages of development.

The main task of the treatment is to prevent diseases such as smut, root rot, Alternaria, and ergot. Treatment with high-quality systemic fungicides provides effective protection for the entire initial growth period – from seed germination to the tillering stage. This makes it possible to reduce or completely avoid the use of pesticides in the early stages of the growing season.

In addition, the pre-sowing treatment creates a barrier against soil pests, such as beetles and flies, which can cause irreparable damage to tender sprouts. In such cases, an insecticidal component is added to the seed treatment, which is especially important in case of early sowing or high pest density in previous years.

However, when choosing a protection product, it is important to take into account the specifics of the active ingredients. In particular, azole-based products, despite their effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens, have a side effect – they can slow down the development of seedlings, especially at low temperatures or lack of moisture. Therefore, the use of such treatments should be carefully considered, taking into account weather conditions, sowing dates and soil type.

A technological feature of triticale is the structure of its seeds. The grain has a wrinkled surface and a developed tuft, which is why the usual amount of working solution may be insufficient. To fully cover the seed with a protective layer, it is necessary to increase the liquid consumption to 12-13 l/t to ensure reliable contact of the preparation with all microcracks and the surface.

As a result, high-quality pre-sowing treatment of triticale seeds is the key to fast germination, a healthy start and reduced risks during the period when the crop is most vulnerable. There is no need to save money at this stage – the right investment in seed protection pays off in the form of a strong, productive field.

Seeding rates for triticale

Determining the correct seeding rate is a key point in triticale cultivation technology, which directly affects the density of the stem, uniformity of plant development, their winter hardiness and, ultimately, yield.

In practice, the seeding rate of winter triticale varies depending on a number of factors: sowing time, soil fertility, quality of the predecessor, varietal characteristics, seed calibration and germination, as well as the level of nutrient supply to the field.

For optimal conditions – when sown at the recommended time and after good predecessors (e.g. legumes or fallow land) – it is advisable to sow approximately 5 million germinating seeds per hectare. If triticale is sown after stubble or silage maize, the rate should be increased to 5.5-6.0 million seeds per hectare.

In cases where the farm is dealing with less fertile soils or sowing is late, it is recommended to increase the seed rate by 10-15%. This will compensate for losses due to slow germination, less active tillering or increased risks of freezing in winter.

At the same time, special attention should be paid to the quality of the seeds: they should be well filled, with a weight of 1000 grains of at least 40 g, and undergo full pre-sowing treatment. Only if all these conditions are met will triticale be able to reach its potential and ensure a stable, economically profitable harvest.

Sowing depth of triticale seeds

The correct sowing depth is a critical factor in obtaining friendly and uniform germination of triticale. It is this parameter that determines how quickly the plant will start developing, how actively it will form the root system and how successfully it will withstand the autumn and winter period.

Under normal conditions with good moisture in the topsoil, triticale seeds should be sown to a depth of 3-4 cm. This ensures rapid germination, minimises energy losses for the soil layer and allows for friendly seedlings that appear on average 1.5-2 days earlier than wheat.

It is worth noting that triticale responds better to deeper sowing than wheat. Under the same sowing conditions, the seeds of this crop can be placed 1 cm deeper, which is especially important in cases where the soil moisture is lower.

In dry conditions, it is advisable to increase the sowing depth to 5-7 cm, and if necessary, even up to 8 cm, focusing on placement in a zone of stable moisture. Due to its strong germination energy and developed rudimentary root, triticale tolerates deeper sowing without losing its germination power.

The planting depth must be adapted to the actual soil moisture and structure, and triticale gives the farmer more flexibility in this decision than most other winter cereals.

Fertilising triticale crops

Despite the widespread belief among farmers that triticale can grow even on infertile soils, this crop is far from being an ‘ascetic’. Its high productivity potential is only revealed under conditions of balanced and systematic nutrition. In fact, triticale actively responds to fertilisers – and the better the supply of nutrients, the higher the yield of grain or green mass.

For basic fertilisation, it is recommended to apply 5-7 tonnes of organic matter (manure or compost) and 90-100 kg of mineral fertiliser per hectare. If legumes, especially alfalfa, were the predecessor, the rate can be reduced by 25% due to nitrogen fixation and soil enrichment with biologically active compounds.

In addition to nitrogen, phosphorus is a key nutrient for triticale, and its deficiency often becomes a limiting factor in yield. This is especially true for soils with a high carbonate content, where phosphate fertilisers applied for cultivation are poorly absorbed. In such cases, you should focus on applying phosphorus for ploughing in autumn (25-100 kg of P), and in spring, limit yourself to foliar feeding only if the main application has already been completed. Otherwise, even a strong dose will not save the situation: the plants will not be able to form a full root system.

Nitrogen nutrition is another critical component of the technology. In the spring, you should not exceed 50-60 kg of nitrogen, and in the southern regions – up to 65-70 kg, so as not to cause excessive thickening of crops. Too dense a stem increases the risk of lodging and thickening of the lower tier, which contributes to the development of diseases.

An important note: urea, which is often used in early spring, has nitrogen in organic form, which must still be mineralised by microorganisms. In warm springs, this process takes 7-10 days, and in cold springs, up to two weeks. During this time, the crops will experience a nitrogen deficiency, so this form of fertiliser is not the best choice for early fertilisation.

In areas with insufficient moisture, it is optimal to apply 30-40 kg/ha of nitrogen in the spring, and if necessary, additionally fertilise with liquid complex fertilisers (LFRP, UAN) in the phase of tube growth. This foliar feeding with balanced nitrogen and phosphorus ensures a stable yield increase. On average, the use of FFRM yielded an additional 0.48 t/ha of grain.

Dosage options depending on crop condition:

• poorly developed crops – 40-50 kg/ha of nitrogen as early as possible in spring;

• Normally developed crops – 30-35 kg/ha of nitrogen;

• overgrown crops – 20-30 kg/ha before they enter the tube.

Triticale is one of the few crops that responds so actively to nitrogen fertilisation through tillering. This can even partially compensate for the thinning of crops. Good nitrogen fertilisation not only increases the yield, but also increases the proportion of leaves in the green mass structure, which is important for fodder use.

When growing triticale for green fodder, it is enough to apply 30-40 kg/ha of phosphorus and 20-30 kg/ha of potassium under the main tillage, and in the spring to fertilise with nitrate or PKD at a dose of 20-22 kg of PKD, keeping the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus 1:1.

In the conditions of aftereffects of predecessors – especially corn, rapeseed, mustard or sunflower – triticale effectively uses residual nutrients. In such cases, in the presence of organic matter or green manure, it is possible to limit the application of 60-70 kg/ha of complex fertiliser with phosphorus for sowing.

A properly balanced nutrition system allows you to unlock the crop’s potential, ensure stable development and obtain high quality grain and green mass.

Caring for triticale crops

Caring for winter triticale crops is a combination of agronomic and protective measures aimed at ensuring sustainable crop growth, its health and realisation of yield potential. This process begins immediately after germination, and the further success of the crop depends on how well the care system is organised and timely.

In the early stages, pests pose the main threat. Most often, these are cereal flies, bread beetles, aphids, cicadas and mouse-like rodents. An effective means of control at the initial stage is pre-sowing seed treatment with systemic insecticide and fungicide preparations that provide protection during the critical period from germination to tillering.

Weed control depends on the predecessor and the vigour of the crop. If the triticale is placed after fallow and the seedlings have formed evenly and actively, herbicide treatment in autumn may not be necessary. However, when sown after stubble predecessors, where an increased weed background is possible, treatment may be required in autumn – especially if dicotyledonous weeds predominate. 

In such cases, sulphonylurea-based herbicides have proven to be effective in controlling competition early in the growing season. Due to its fast start and powerful tillering, triticale is able to suppress weeds on its own, and repeated spraying is mostly unnecessary.

Special attention should be paid to diseases, which manifest themselves depending on the density of the stand, varietal resistance and weather conditions. A wet and warm spring, excess nitrogen in the diet are ideal conditions for the development of Septoria, Fusarium, rust, and powdery mildew. If intense precipitation is forecast in March-May, it is advisable not to wait until the economic threshold of damage is crossed, but to carry out preventive fungicide treatment in advance – at the stage of emergence or at the beginning of earing. This is especially important even if the variety is declared as resistant – under high pathogen pressure, any genetic immunity may not work.

In the middle of spring, crops can be attacked by a harmful turtle, although its activity is usually lower on triticale than on wheat. If necessary, insecticides from the class of synthetic pyrethroids are used, but it is important to keep in mind that their effectiveness is significantly reduced at high average daily temperatures.

Another feature of triticale is its rapid growth in spring, which is 1.5-2 times faster than wheat. That is why spring care – fertilisation, protection, growth regulators (if necessary) – should be started earlier. Surface fertilisation with nitrogen can be applied even on frozen soil, which allows us to support the crop’s start after winter.

All products used for spraying or dressing must be authorised for use in Ukraine in accordance with the Law on Pesticides and Agrochemicals. Technical protection products that are commonly used on wheat or rye are also suitable for triticale – it is only important to adapt the timing and dosage to the specifics of the crop.

Balanced care – without excessive intervention, but with a prompt response to threats – allows triticale to realise its natural strength of growth, tillering and endurance, ensuring a reliable harvest even in difficult conditions.

Harvesting triticale

Harvesting triticale is the final but no less important stage in the technology of growing this crop. Not only the quantity but also the quality of the harvested crop – whether it is grain, hay or green mass for feed – depends on the correct timing and machine settings.

If triticale is grown for hay, mowing is carried out before the mowing phase, when the maximum dry matter accumulation has not yet been reached. This is when the protein, digestible carotene and nutrient content is highest and the green mass retains a good structure for producing high quality hay or haylage. The optimum cutting height is 5-7 cm: a higher cut will result in weight loss, and a lower cut will result in soil contamination of the fodder.

If some of the plants are lodged (up to 20%), it is advisable to harvest them directly for grain – this tactic helps to preserve the nutritional value of the mass, avoid losses and reduce the load on machinery.

Triticale grain is harvested in the full ripeness phase, just like wheat, by direct combining. However, the process has its own technological features that bring it closer to rye harvesting. Triticale grain is larger in size, holds tighter in the ear and does not crumble when ripe, which is a big advantage compared to other spiked crops.

But this same density property requires adjustments to the combine harvester settings. To avoid grain damage and losses during threshing, it is recommended:

1. Reduce the threshing drum speed to 600 rpm.

2. Reduce the gap between the drum and the concave by adapting it to the specific moisture content and structure of the ear.

These simple but important changes help to preserve the integrity of the grain, reduce the percentage of broken fractions and avoid product losses in the field.

When harvesting triticale, you need to strike a balance between timing, technique and purpose. Regardless of the purpose – fodder, hay or grain – the crop is capable of showing high returns if technological discipline is maintained until the end of the season.