Effects of spring nitrogen and sulfur fertilization on triticale yield and forage quality

Abstract Triticale (x Triticosecale ) silage has become a popular choice for many dairy producers to increase forage supply. Using fertilization to increase protein concentrations in triticale silage may be an economic strategy for dairies to increase ration protein concentrations and offset the expense of purchased protein sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates with and without sulfur on triticale yield and quality. Triticale was established at two locations in Maryland in the fall of 2020, 2021, and 2022. Fertility treatments included a no‐nitrogen control along with low (56 kg ha −1 ), medium (112 kg ha −1 ), and high (168 kg ha −1 ) levels of nitrogen, each with and without added sulfur (17 kg ha −1 ). Fertility treatments were applied in March of each year in a split‐plot design with four replicates at each location. Plots were mechanically harvested when forage reached the boot stage in late April. Harvested forage was weighed and subsampled for dry matter yield determination and forage analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using mixed model analysis. The application of nitrogen increased forage yields in 4 of 6 site‐years, irrespective of sulfur inclusion. In 2021, crude protein concentrations increased linearly with nitrogen application rates from 87 to 180 g kg −1 , irrespective of sulfur inclusion; however, this same effect was not seen in 2022–2023. Triticale neutral detergent fiber and net energy concentrations did not differ. The results indicate that increasing nitrogen application rates can influence forage yield and crude protein content in some cases.