Some Feature and Yield Changes Depending on Growth Periods on Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) Populations

Abstract

This study was conducted from 2011 to 2012 to determine the hay yield and the changes in its crude protein, ADF, NDF and some mineral contents and, its digestibility based of growth stages (early vegetative, bolting and full flowering stages) of 70 cocksfoot populations collected from natural flora of Central Black Sea Region. In the cocksfoot plants collected from areas with different ecological conditions. Average leaf rate was 71.12 and 67.65 % and, average hay yield was 148.74 and 41.16 g/plant for 2011 and 2012, respectively. For 2011 and 2012, average crude protein rate was 18.13 and 20.24%, ADF rate was 38.00 and 38.24%, NDF rate was 51.85 and 51.81 and relative feed value was 109.58 and 109.76, respectively. In terms of mineral content, the average calcium rate was found as 0.51 and 0.61 %, nitrogen was 2.14 and 2.37 %, magnesium was 0.20 and 0.21 %, phosphorus was 0.41 and 0.42 %, Ca/P was 1.25 and 1.33 and, K/Ca+Mg rate was found as 3.11 and 3.07 % for 2011 and 2012, respectively. As the growth progressed, Ca, Mg, P and K rates of the plants decreased. There was a quite a wide range between investigated characteristics of population in both years. This indicates that cocksfoot populations can be used as genetic sources considering outstanding features and, the selection studies could be importantly and successfully integrated into upcoming agricultural research. The results of this study showed that Samsun Tekkekoy 1, Ordu \Merkez 3, and Sinop Turkeli 1 populations were promising varieties. When the hay yield and nutrient content are considered together, onset of panicle initiation growing stage could be recommended as the most suitable harvesting time for the cocksfoot.