Trial planting of the triticale variety Zhongsi 828 introduced in Qingyang, Gansu, proves successful

During the autumn sowing of winter wheat in 2006, under the guidance of technicians from the Qingyang City Seed Management Station in Gansu Province, Longdong Clover Grass Industry Company introduced the grain-and-forage dual-purpose hexaploid triticale Zhongsi 828 from Beijing and achieved success in trial planting in Qingyang. In 2007, under severe drought not seen in 70 years and extremely low winter temperatures, Zhongsi 828 triticale demonstrated extraordinary drought resistance and cold tolerance. At each trial site, the average triticale yield was 200-252 kg per mu, an increase of 50-74 kg per mu compared with locally grown wheat. Recently, the city seed management station and the city forage workstation have conducted field surveys many times. The main physiological and economic traits of Zhongsi 828 triticale are all superior to those of ordinary wheat, its growth is good, and a bumper harvest is in sight.

Zhongsi 828 triticale passed the approval of the National Forage Variety Approval Committee in 2002. It was developed by the Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, by crossing the winter-type octoploid triticale H4372 with the hexaploid triticale WOH90, combined with chromosome engineering breeding technology, and after 13 generations of line selection. This variety has a plant height of 1.6-1.8 m, many tillers, a 1000-grain weight of 38 g, luxuriant growth, a large leaf volume, a high leaf-to-stem ratio, and a long duration of green leaves. The stems and leaves can be cut multiple times. The green forage yield is 2900-3300 kg per mu, the protein content is 15.8%, and the lysine content is 0.44%. The dry forage yield is 700-900 kg per mu, the protein content is 8-10%, and the lysine content is 0.3%. The grain yield is 250-350 kg per mu, the protein content is 17%, and the lysine content is 0.54%. This variety is immune to powdery mildew, highly resistant to stripe rust, leaf rust and stem rust, drought-resistant and cold-tolerant, can withstand low temperatures of minus 20°C to minus 30°C, and can grow normally at 2-13°C. At maturity it colors well; the spike is spindle-shaped, with 25-30 spikelets per spike, 40-50 filled grains per spike, and a 1000-grain weight of 35-37 g. When used as silage forage, it is generally harvested 7-10 days after flowering. When the plant moisture content drops to 70%-75%, it is cut into 5-10 cm forage sections, pressed into a silo for ensiling, and after 40 days the silo can be opened to feed livestock. The results of dairy cow feeding trials showed that the group fed triticale silage produced 1 kg more milk per cow per day, the milk fat rate increased by 0.1%, the milk sugar increased by 0.08%, and the moisture decreased by 1%, reaching the standard for premium-grade milk. In production, triticale is sown at the same time as local winter wheat, the suitable sowing rate is 10 kg per mu, and for seed propagation the effective spike number per mu should be controlled within 300,000. Harvesting triticale at the flowering stage can provide high-quality silage forage; at maturity, both grain and dry hay can be harvested. At present, amid the increasingly prominent contradiction between grain production and planting forage on cultivated land, it is an effective source of forage and feed for Qingyang City in building a major city of grass and livestock and developing herbivorous animal husbandry.