Fodder root crops

Economic importance

Cultivating root crops and potatoes is the same as obtaining three ears of grain where previously only one grew.

D. N. Pryanishnikov.

In the first place, D. N. Pryanishnikov meant the high potential productivity of potatoes and root crops, including fodder root crops.

In the structure of Russian feed production, fodder root crops account for 2%, and among succulent feeds — 17% (ARSRI of Fodder named after V. R. Williams). On dairy farms, the share of root crops in succulent feeds reaches 35–50%.

Despite the low dry matter content in root crops, which varies depending on variety, species, and growing conditions from 9 to 23%, the value of fodder root crops is considerable. Mainly they serve as easily digestible feed with a high carbohydrate content. Introducing root crops into animal diets makes it possible to balance the carbohydrate-protein ratio of feeds, which should contain 120–150 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of digestible protein. Usually this balance is disturbed in spring and autumn, and often in winter as well. Haylage and especially silage cannot eliminate carbohydrate deficiency.

Root crops also have a good mineral and amino acid composition. The ash of root crops contains on average up to 3.4% potassium, 1.1% phosphorus, 0.7% calcium, and 0.35% magnesium, as well as trace elements (cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese).

Protein accounts for 1–2.2%, but its composition includes essential amino acids: lysine, methionine, and arginine.

The leaves of root crops also have fodder value. They contain more protein, vitamins, and dry matter than the root crops; they can be used fresh or ensiled, or used as raw material for the production of grass meal and pellets (Kireev et al., 1977).

The digestibility of root crops is not inferior to that of young pasture grass. In milk production they serve as a milk-stimulating feed and promote the assimilation of roughage. The presence of root crops in the diet contributes to an increase in the lifespan of animals, fattening, and duration of use, improves the quality of offspring and reproductive capacity, and saves concentrated feeds.

The type of fodder root crops is not of great importance for dairy cattle, provided that daily feeding norms are observed in the rations. Feeding more than 20–25 kg of rutabaga or turnip per day per cow can lead to deterioration in the taste qualities of milk due to the presence of mustard oils in the feed. The daily norm of semi-sugar beet also should not exceed the specified norm, so as not to harm animal health. Feeding norms for fodder beet have not been established.

All fodder root crops belong to row crops, therefore they have agronomic significance.

Cultivation areas

In the USSR and Russia, fodder root crops are cultivated almost everywhere.

Sown areas in the USSR amounted to over 1.4 million ha; 85–90% of them were fodder beet, the rest — rutabaga, turnip, and fodder carrot. The gross harvest of root crops was 20 million t.

In the structure of sown areas of farms, fodder root crops occupy a small share. When determining sown area, they proceed from farms' feed needs, depending on livestock numbers; for example, per head of cattle, at least 5–6 t of root crops per year are required.

In 2001–2005, in Russia the area under fodder crops was 140–250 thousand ha, gross harvest — 2.9 million t, i.e., a reduction of more than 7 times after the collapse of the USSR. Average yield — 20 t/ha. There are no official statistics on types of fodder root crops in Russia.

Botanical description

All fodder root crops are biennial plants. In the first year of life they form a root crop, in the second — fruits.

List of sources

1. Vavilov P. P., Gritsenko V. V., Kuznetsov V. S. et al. (1986). Crop Production. Edited by Vavilov P. P. 5th ed., revised and enlarged. Moscow: Agropromizdat.
2. Kolomeichenko V. V. (2007). Crop Production/Textbook. Moscow: Agrobiznescenter.
3. Niklyaev V. S. (2000). Fundamentals of Agricultural Production Technology. Agriculture and Crop Production. Moscow: Bylina.