Triticale

Triticale is a hybrid of wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale cereale) that was first bred in laboratories during the late 19th century in Scotland and Germany. It was developed as a way to combine the yield potential and grain quality of wheat with the disease and environmental tolerance of rye.

History

The first successful hybridization of wheat and rye was carried out in 1875 by a Scottish botanist named A. Stephen Wilson and a German botanist named Leopold Adam Tschermak von Seysenegg. The name "triticale" combines the scientific names of the two original species, Triticum for wheat and Secale for rye.

Characteristics

Triticale combines the advantageous traits of its parent plants. From wheat, it inherits high yield potential and good grain quality. From rye, it gets robustness, tolerance to less than ideal soil conditions, and resistance to diseases and pests. Triticale grains are larger than those of wheat, and the plant is taller than most wheats.

Cultivation

Triticale can be grown in a wide range of climates, but it thrives in cooler regions where both wheat and rye are traditionally grown. It is typically sown in the autumn and harvested in the early summer. Triticale is primarily used for animal feed, but it can also be used for human consumption, particularly in breads and cereals.

Nutritional Value

Triticale is high in protein and dietary fiber. It also contains significant amounts of various vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

See Also

• Wheat
• Rye
• Hybrid (biology)