Cultivation

Triticale is a cross of wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale). This cereal displays the qualities of wheat, such as a higher yield and better grain quality, as much as the qualities of rye, such as higher resistance to cold and disease as well as a lower demand for water and high-quality soil.

The cultivation of this grain takes place largely in European countries such as Poland, France and Germany, as well as in Belarus and China.

Application

The cereal is grown for use both the food and feed industries.

In the food industry, triticale is a source of raw materials for:

• baked goods
• wheat beer

• starch, bran (roughage)

Energy-providing plants, renewable raw materials:

• as is the case with other types of cereal, triticale also is suitable for the production of bio-ethanol fuel.
• Starch from triticale grains is processed in a variety of industrial products, e.g. in the paper industry.

Gene technology: aims of research and development

Agronomic traits

Weed management

• herbicide tolerance towards the active ingrediente glufosinate (herbizid Basta)

Quality traits

Modified composition of contents

• Storage of proteins

Field trials with GM triticale