Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.4, 201-211 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 201 Research Report Open Access Comparative Analysis of Triticale and Wheat: Yield, Adaptability, and Nutritional Content Rugang Xu, Qiuxia Sun Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China Corresponding author: qiuxia.sun@cuixi.org Field Crop, 2024, Vol.7, No.4 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0020 Received: 11 May, 2024 Accepted: 23 Jun., 2024 Published: 14 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xu and Sun, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xu R.G., and Sun Q.X., 2024, Comparative analysis of triticale and wheat: yield, adaptability, and nutritional content, Field Crop, 7(4): 201-211 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0020) Abstract This study aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between triticale and wheat in terms of their yield performance, adaptability to various environmental conditions, and nutritional content. Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, has shown promising results in several studies, often outperforming wheat in terms of biomass yield and forage quality, particularly in less favorable environments. This study highlights that triticale generally exhibits higher grain yield stability and better adaptability to water-limited and nitrogen-limited conditions compared to wheat. Additionally, triticale's nutritional profile, including crude protein content and total digestible nutrients, is comparable to that of wheat, making it a viable alternative for both grain and forage production. This study also discusses the potential of triticale in improving soil health and reducing nutrient leaching when used as a cover crop. Overall, this study underscores the potential benefits of incorporating triticale into agricultural systems, particularly in regions facing abiotic stressors such as drought and poor soil fertility. Keywords Triticale; Wheat, Yield stability; Nutritional content; Abiotic stress adaptability 1 Introduction Wheat (Triticumspp.) is one of the most significant cereal crops globally, playing a crucial role in human nutrition and food security. Its success is largely attributed to its versatile grain proteins, particularly gluten, which allows for the production of a wide variety of foods (Sousa et al., 2021). Wheat is cultivated in diverse climatic zones and has been a staple food for thousands of years, evolving from ancient varieties like einkorn, emmer, and spelt to the modern hexaploid and tetraploid varieties that dominate global production today (Sousa et al., 2021). On the other hand, triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is a relatively recent man-made hybrid developed by crossing wheat and rye (Secale cereale L.). This hybridization aims to combine the favorable traits of both progenitor species, resulting in a crop that is more adaptable to less favorable environments and capable of producing higher biomass yield and forage quality (Ayalew et al., 2018). Comparative studies between triticale and wheat are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they provide insights into the adaptability of these crops to various environmental conditions, which is crucial for improving food security in the face of climate change (Wan et al., 2022; Filip et al., 2023). Secondly, understanding the differences in yield and nutritional content between triticale and wheat can guide breeding programs aimed at enhancing crop quality and resilience (Ayalew et al., 2018). Such studies also help in identifying the specific conditions under which each crop performs best, thereby optimizing agricultural practices and resource use (Wan et al., 2022). Moreover, triticale's potential as a cover crop to improve soil health and reduce nutrient leaching further underscores the need for comprehensive comparative analyses (Ayalew et al., 2018). This study conducts a comparative analysis of triticale and wheat in terms of yield, adaptability, and nutritional content. By synthesizing existing research, this study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each crop, providing a holistic understanding that can inform future agricultural practices and breeding programs; examines how environmental factors affect the yield and quality of these crops, assess their nutritional profiles, and explores their potential uses in various agricultural systems. Through this comparative analysis, this study seeks to contribute to the development of more resilient and productive cereal crops, ultimately enhancing global food security.
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