THE IMPORTANCE OF TRITICALE IN ANIMAL NUTRITION

Grains have great agronomic and economic importance and they are oneof the most important plants. Triticale is modern cereal grain, hybrid of wheat andrye, which inherited the ability of the rye to survive the high frosts, but has a higherprotein value than rye, while higher grain yields and increased tolerance to diseaseswere inherited from wheat. The way in which triticale will be used depends on thecharacteristics of the variety. Triticale varieties of large and uniform grains whichhave more proteins then starch are used as concentrated feed for poultry, ruminantsand nonruminants. Varieties that form large biomass, similar to rye, can be and aregrazed, or harvested for silage or hay and straw. Triticale grain has nutritional valuelike wheat but with slightly more lysine amino acid. Triticale as a feed grain withgood essential amino acid balance, minerals and vitamins is primarily included inlivestock diets especially as an energy source. Depending on the type of domesticanimal and meal, triticale can be used in significant percentage. The advantage oftriticale over other cereals is that it has higher yields, a faster spring growth, and alonger mowing time as a green animal feed, than for example rays or oats. Becauseof all these advantages, triticale is suitable for planting especially in developingcountries.