Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.4, 201-211 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 204 non-starch polysaccharides, which contribute to its versatility in food production (Zhu, 2018). In terms of dietary fiber, wheat is known for its high dietary fiber content, particularly in the bran, which includes both insoluble and soluble fibers (Köse et al., 2023). Triticale also contains dietary fiber, but the specific fiber fractions can vary significantly among different varieties (Biel et al., 2020). 3.3 Vitamins and minerals Wheat is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, including B-group vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) (Shariatipour et al., 2021; Khalid et al., 2023). Triticale, while primarily used as animal feed, also contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. For instance, sprouted triticale grains have been found to contain high levels of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), which are essential for both human and animal health (Kassymbek, 2023). Additionally, biofortification efforts have shown that foliar zinc application can significantly increase the zinc content in triticale grains, making it a potential candidate for addressing zinc deficiency in human diets (Dhaliwal et al., 2019). 3.4 Implications for human and animal consumption The nutritional profiles of triticale and wheat have important implications for their use in human and animal diets. Wheat, with its high protein content and essential vitamins and minerals, is a staple food crop that supports human nutrition worldwide (Ciudad-Mulero et al., 2020; Khalid et al., 2023). The presence of gluten proteins makes it particularly valuable for bread-making and other food products. Triticale, with its high protein and carbohydrate content, is primarily used as animal feed, but its nutritional composition also makes it suitable for human consumption in various forms, such as bakery products and pasta (Zhu, 2018). The high fiber content in both grains contributes to better digestive health, while the presence of essential minerals supports overall health and well-being (Dhaliwal et al., 2019; Mustapha et al, 2019; Biel et al., 2020). The potential for biofortification in both crops further enhances their nutritional value, making them important components of strategies to combat malnutrition (Dhaliwal et al., 2019; Shaukat et al., 2021). 4 Case Study 4.1 Description of the study area The study area encompasses diverse agricultural environments, including regions with varying levels of water and nitrogen availability, as well as areas affected by salinity and other abiotic stresses. The primary focus is on regions in California, the Southern Great Plains of the United States, and Mediterranean climates, where both triticale and wheat are cultivated under different environmental conditions (Méndez-Espinoza et al., 2019; Shaukat et al., 2021; Tamagno et al., 2022; Upreti et al., 2022). 4.2 Comparative performance of triticale and wheat in the region Triticale has demonstrated superior performance compared to wheat in several key areas. In California, triticale outyielded wheat by 11% under average conditions and by 19% under nitrogen-limited conditions, although wheat was 3% more productive in water-limited environments (Tamagno et al., 2022). In the Southern Great Plains, triticale showed better biomass yield and forage quality, making it a viable alternative for both grain and forage production (Upreti et al., 2022). In Mediterranean environments, triticale exhibited higher grain yield and yield stability compared to wheat, particularly under water-limited conditions (Méndez-Espinoza et al., 2019). Tamagno et al. (2022) presents a comparison of grain yield, protein yield, and protein concentration between wheat and triticale under average, water-stressed, and nitrogen-stressed conditions. Triticale outperforms wheat in grain yield under average and nitrogen-stressed environments, with significant differences of 606 kg/ha and 795 kg/ha, respectively. However, wheat shows higher yields under water-stressed conditions. Despite triticale's lower protein concentration across all conditions, its higher grain yield reduces the gap in protein yield, even surpassing wheat under nitrogen stress. This indicates that while triticale may have lower protein content, its robust performance in yield, especially under nitrogen stress, makes it a strong candidate for challenging growing conditions, balancing overall productivity with nutritional output.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==