The Effect of Grazing Applied in the Different Phenological Stages on Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat and Triticale

This study was conducted during two growing seasons, 2003-04 and 2004-05, at experimental farm of Field Crops Department of Agricultural Faculty of Namik Kemal University of Turkey. In the study, the effects of grazing regimes (a. control, b. 1 time grazing. c. 2 times grazing and d. 3 times grazing) on grain yield and related characteristics of 2 bread wheat and 2 triticale cultivars were investigated. The experimental design was split plot on randomized blocks, with cultivars as the main plot and grazing regimes as subplot. Grazing was simulated by lawn cutter. According to the results of the study, grazing regimes significantly reduced grain yield and related characteristics. The average reduction in grain yield was 8.43% in only one time grazed, 16.47 % in 2 times grazed and 52.57% in 3 times grazed plots. The reduction in grain yield varied according to year, species, cultivars and grazing date. The results of the study indicate that approximately 12 weeks after sowing, bread wheat and triticale can be grazed one time in the years when there is a shortage of forage.