DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION IN TRITICALE CULTIVARS

Complex analyses of biological and economic yield formation in triticale were carried out during regular measurements of underground dry matter production. Three-year trial studied dry matter production of above-ground biomass of plants of the Polish cultivars of winter triticale Dagro, Grado, Largo and Lasko and the Czech cultivar of winter triticale Korm compared with winter wheat - the Regina cultivar and winter rye - the Breno cultivar. Dynamics of dry matter increments indicate that in this way the triticale occupies the mean position between winter rye and winter wheat. This was similar in the period of the growth at the beginning of winter and during winter months and spring regeneration, the growth of triticale was more intensive than that of wheat and was nearly similar to rye. The proportion of dry matter of main stems was the highest in the winter wheat cultivar and mostly lowest was in triticale cultivars. This confirmed certain autoregulatory ability of triticale for the quality of the stand, by higher proportion of tillers. There were no significant differences among triticale cultivars. Solely the known Lasko cultivar was somewhat different. However, there was higher increment of triticale dry matter in total towards the end of the vegetation and the final level of dry matter yield. This is, however, connected with the totally longer period from heading to ripeness and longer vegetation period of triticale compared with wheat and rye. It was manifested that 1,450 g of above-ground biomass dry matter per 1 m2 was need for 3.5 t.ha-1 and some 1,800 g.m-2 for the yield of 5.7 t.ha-1. Autumn and early spring application of growth regulators (paclobutrazole and chlormequate) increased dry matter of plants under certain conditions, what can be recommended for practice to assure on the overwintering, by synchronic tillering, caused higher economic yield. The effect of higher rates on increment of above-ground biomass dry matter was confirmed in nitrogen fertilizing. However, split nitrogen treatment was better for an economic yield.