FORAGE POTENTIAL OF SPRING AND WINTER CANOLA CULTIVARS IN THE COMARCA LAGUNERA REGION, MEXICO

The adequate selection of type and cultivar of forage canola (Brassica napus L.) may increase dry matter (DM) and nutrient yields. This study evaluated the forage potential of Spring and Winter canola cultivars in the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico. Two trials were carried out during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 agricultural cycles in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico. Six Spring and three Winter cultivars were evaluated; the IMC 205 variety and the hybrid Hyola 401 were used as controls. A randomized complete blocks design with four replications was used. The outstanding cultivars with higher DM and nutrient yields (P <= 0.05) were the controls and the new cultivars Monty, Claremore, and Ortegon. The Ortegon cultivar had particularly higher yields and the additional advantage of earliness at harvest (from 6 to 16 d) compared to the control cultivars. Yield of the outstanding spring cultivars was 7216 to 8480 kg ha(-1) DM, 1270 to 1456 kg ha(-1) of crude protein (CP) and 39,663 to 47,928 MJ ha(-1) in net energy for lactation (NEB). The best Winter cultivar was Claremore, with a DM yield (6215 kg ha(-1)) lower (P <= 0.05) than the outstanding Spring cultivars; however, its yields in CP (1431 kg ha(-1)) and NEL (42,625 MJ ha(-1)) were similar to values from the best spring cultivars, due to its higher nutrient content. In conclusion, it is possible to include at least three new canola cultivars for forage production in the region.