Evaluation of Variability in Forage Rye (Secale cereale L.) Varieties in Regard to Feed Composition

Abstract

Fourteen varieties commercially available as forage rye (Secale cereale L.) were harvested at blooming stage for 2 years. Forage samples were chemically analyzed by both of detergent- and enzymatic-methods. Then, variability among varieties was investigated in feed compositions and growth characters, using statistical analyses such as analysis of variance and cluster analysis. Among 3 categories of variety classified according to earliness, morphology and breeding objectives, eleven varieties of extremely early maturing and two varieties of triticale were found to be homogeneous in each feed composition and possessed individual feed property respectively. Extremely early maturing group showed high contents of each fiber element and low digestibility, whereas the late variety contained high protein and low fiber and showed high digestibility. Triticale group showed intermediate composition of these two groups. From these results, it is concluded that farmers should put much emphasis on the difference of feed composition among varieties and not treat forage rye as a whole. From the results of regression analysis through all varieties tested in 2 years, it is suggested that the varieties with high CP (crude protein) contents in dry matter showed high digestibility of fiber and dry matter.