Sustainable Management Practices for Maximizing Productivity and Quality in Dual-Purpose Cereal Systems
摘要
Dual-purpose winter cereals are widely used to supply early-season forage while maintaining grain production, yet limited information exists on how different defoliation methods affect the physiological and nutritional responses of major cereal species across contrasting environments. A two-year field experiment (2022–23 and 2023–24) was conducted at Peshawar and Swat to evaluate how cutting and grazing regimes influence forage quality and grain-related traits in wheat, barley, oat, and triticale. The study used a split-plot RCBD with four defoliation treatments (no-cut, cutting, sheep grazing, cow grazing). Location strongly influenced chlorophyll composition, nutrient allocation, and carbohydrate fractions, reflecting contrasting climatic conditions. Defoliation intensity caused clear shifts in forage quality traits: the no-cut treatment maintained higher grain nitrogen (1.8%) and protein content (11.5%), while cutting increased fiber fractions. Cow grazing promoted superior leaf nitrogen status (9.03 mg g-1), protein concentration (56.46 mg g-1), and leaf relative water content (81.4%), indicating enhanced regrowth potential. Crop-specific patterns were evident, with oat showing higher moisture retention and fiber content such as ADF (282 g kg-1), and NDF (597 g kg-1), triticale demonstrating stronger pigment concentrations and non-fiber carbohydrates (200 g kg-1). While, barley exhibiting higher crude fat (4.1%) and wheat maintaining superior grain quality components like grain nitrogen (1.9%), protein (11.7%), amylose (24%), and wet gluten (24%). Overall, the study shows that dual-purpose cereals can provide high-quality forage without severely compromising grain quality when managed appropriately. The findings highlight species-specific and environment-dependent responses, offering practical guidance for optimizing cutting and grazing strategies in cereal–livestock systems.