Is it pronounced trit-uh-kale or trit-uh-kay-lee? And what even is triticale?
Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye that can come as either a winter or spring variety. It is a versatile crop that can be used for haying, grazing, and chopping. As for the pronunciation, people argue it both ways, and by the end of this article, maybe you can decide for yourself.
The origin of triticale dates back to 19th century Scotland when a botanist first created a sterile hybrid of the two plants. Since then, the species has evolved into a commercially grown crop that is used worldwide.
The name triticale comes from the scientific names of wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale). When put together, the two make the name of the hybrid species, triticale. This would make you think it’s pronounced trit-uh-kale, right? Well, don’t get ahead of yourself.
Secale is actually pronounced se-kay-lee. And, the Oxford Dictionary also lists the pronunciation of the word triticale as trit-uh-kay-lee.
Still a little unfamiliar with the plant itself? Triticale is often used as a palatable forage option for livestock. It can be planted as a cover crop in the fall and then chopped for silage in the spring. This plant has exceptional forage quality and is a great option for producers.
Renovo seed offers a variety of different triticale varieties. Our Flex 719 has strong forage yields and excellent winter hardiness and quality. This would be a great option to plant this fall and cut for silage in the spring.
Our Pea/Trit blend is also a popular option for producers who are looking for a bit more protein in their forage mix. The 60/40 blend is very digestible for livestock and has excellent yield potential as a hay or haylage crop when planted in the spring.
So, what really is the correct way to pronounce triticale? You decide for yourself! But no matter how you pronounce it, one thing is for sure – triticale makes a great forage crop!
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