Forage productivity of triticale (Triticosecale wittmack L.) and canola (B. napus) under different fertilization sources: Response in production, quality and water use efficiency

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate triticale and canola crops in terms of agronomic traits, forage production (FP), forage quality (FQ), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under three different fertilization sources in semi-arid conditions in northern Mexico. Design/Methodology: The study was conducted at the INIFAP La Laguna Experimental Field (25°30' N, 103°15' W). Sowing took place during the winter cycle, using triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack), cv. 'Río Nazas', and canola (B. napus), cv. 'Hyola-401'. Three treatments were applied: (1) Chemical Fertilization (CF), consisting of 150 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen (N); (2) Biofertilization (BF), involving seed inoculation with microorganisms and oxidizable organic carbon; and (3) Control Treatment (CT), with an application of 60 kg ha⁻¹ of phosphorus (P). The same amount of phosphorus was applied in both CF and BF treatments. A randomized complete block design with four replicates in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used. Harvesting was performed at the pod development stage for canola and the milk-dough stage for triticale. Variables evaluated included yield, agronomic traits, nutritional forage quality, and irrigation water use efficiency. Results: The tallest canola plants (132.8 cm) were observed under the biofertilization treatment. A significant species × treatment interaction was found, with triticale showing the highest IWUE-NE (Net Energy) values under both fertilization sources (2.96 and 3.24 Mcal m⁻³, respectively). Canola exhibited the highest crude protein levels under both chemical and biofertilization treatments. Conclusions: Triticale demonstrated superior performance in FP and net energy production. Canola showed greater potential in plant height, in vitro digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein content. Biofertilization had a positive effect compared to the control treatment in terms of plant height, FP, and IWUE