Evaluation of grain quality properties and mineralcontents (Nutritional values) of triticale (X triticosecale wittmack) cultivars under rainfed agricultural conditions in the eastern black sea region of Turkey

Triticale is an important alternative crop and is largely grown on marginal lands in Turkey to overcome the shortage of rising animal feed problem. Sometimes Triticale is also used as human food. This study was conducted for two years between 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to determine some grain quality characteristics of nine different Triticale (Tatlicak-97, for cvs. Presto, Karma-2000, Melez-2001, Mihkam-2002, Ege Yildizi, Alperbey, Umranhanım, and Tacettinbey) cultivars under dry farming conditions at Siran-Gumushane (Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey). The experiment was conducted with three replications based on the randomized complete block design. According to two-years average, thousand-grain weight of cultivars changed from 38.85-45.12 g, also, hectoliter weight 74.68-77.21 kg hl-1, protein contents 10.56-12.09%, starch contents 64.74-68.19%, moisture contents 9.44-9.72%, ash contents 1.25-1.60%, oil contents 0.79-1.27%, ADF (acid detergent fiber) 3.22-4.39%, NDF (neutral detergent fiber) 15.14-16.88%, potassium (K) contents 0.432-0.527%, magnesium (Mg) contents 0.113-0.135%, and phosphorus (P) contents 0.360-0.387%. In terms of quality characteristics, the maximum thousand-grain weight was obtained from Tacettinbey and Ege Yildizi; the maximum grain yield weight from Tatlicak-97; the maximum hectoliter weight from Tatlicak-97, Ege Yildizi and Mihkam-2002 cultivars; Also, cv. Karma-2000 and Alperbey had the maximum protein contents, and Umranhanım and Mihkam-2002 cultivars had the maximum starch content. It is concluded that studies relating to Agronomic practices of these and other Triticale cultivars would help in improving the life style and the livestock sector of the region.