The Influence of Cropping Systems on Photosynthesis, Yield, and Grain Quality of Selected Winter Triticale Cultivars

Abstract

Soil serves as the fundamental foundation for agricultural production; however, inappropriate utilization of soil in conventional cropping systems (CONV) coupled with agricultural practices focused on maximizing profit through the attainment of high-quality grain yield contributes to its degradation. An alternative to the CONV is the integrated cropping system (INTEG), which is based on sustainable plant cultivation by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. An interesting two-factor field experiment with winter triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) was conducted in 2019–2022 in south-eastern Poland. The experimental factors in this study included three winter triticale cultivars, namely Avokado, Medalion, Rotondo, and SU Liborius, and two cropping systems, CONV and INTEG. It was found that the use of the CONV brought out higher grain yield with higher protein and lower fat content. The cultivation of triticale grain under the CONV resulted in a higher thousand-grain weight (TGW), improved grain uniformity, and higher test weight values compared to INTEG. Additionally, the use of the CONV system resulted in improved values of physiological parameters (chlorophyll content and fluorescence and gas exchange), and that was caused by improved photosynthetic efficiency of triticale plants as a result of increased doses of mineral fertilizers, despite being cultivated in the INTEG; cv. SU Liborius achieved better values of yield parameters among the tested triticale cultivars grown in the CONV. Therefore, the selection of a suitable, efficient cultivar allows its growth under lower fertilization conditions and produces high grain yields of good quality. This knowledge can be valuable to farmers, as it would facilitate the selection of a triticale cultivar with the appropriate genetic profile for cultivation under specific agronomic conditions. Eventually, it would allow for the propagation of sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to enhancing soil biodiversity while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of agricultural production.