Wheat and triticale in crop rotations

Abstract

The results of a field trial of crop rotations conducted over a period of ten years in Vila Real (Northeast Portugal) are presented. The rotations tested were cereal-cultivated fallow (TA), traditional in rain-fed conditions of the region, and alternative rotations that could be adopted in these conditions: cereal-grain legume crop (TL), cereal-forage mixture (TC) and cereal-rain-fed pasture (TP). The cereals were wheat and, later, triticale. Grain, straw and aerial biomass yields were evaluated together with concentrations of nutrients. The soil parameters studied were pH, organic matter and P ₂ O ₅, K₂O and exchange cations.

Wheat straw yield of TL rotation was higher than that of the others. Wheat from TP rotation still requires nitrogen fertilization. The soils of the different rotations registered changes of organic matter, Ca, Mg and pH values, which should be taken into account if these rotations are practised over several years.