CROP MANAGEIIENT OF nITICALE IN BELGIUM

ABSnACT Since about 15 years triticale is introduced in practical farming in Belgium. Triticale is mainly grown on sandy soils as a substitute for rye and winter barley. Triticale yielded in comparison with the established cereals very well on the loamy sand soil at Merelbeke. 'Alamo' exhibited during severals years a high and regular yield. In general the level of disease resistance was satisfactory. Results of fungicide experiments showed that triticale had a low yield response to fungicide treatments. Most herbicides recommend for wheat can be used for triticale. However, varietal differences in reaction to methabenzthiazuron, isoproturon and mecoprop was found. Growth regulator sprays kept lodging and leaning to acceptable levels and affected the yield positively. On the loamy sand soil of Merelbeke the optimum nitrogen level was likely to be in the region of 130-160 kg/ha. INnODUCTION Since about 15 years triticale is introduced in practical farming in Belgium. The area sown rose from 20a ha in the early 1980's to 8853 ha in 1993. Triticale is mainly grown on sandy soils as a substitute for rye and winter barley. Much of the interest in triticale is due to its wide adaptation to contrasting enviromnents, its higher level of resistance to the majority of diseases that attacks wheat and barley and its in general simple crop management. In recent years there has also been considerable interest in triticale from the typical wheat farmers because it is seen as a low cost alternative to the established cereals. Due to the growing interest and the lack of comprenhensive information about the possibilities and the crop management practices of triticale, an extensive research project was started up in 1980 at the technical university, C.T.L. This article deals with the most recent results of this research