Performance of temperate perennial pastures in the Australian subtropics 1. Yield, persistence and pasture quality

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Lowe ◽  
T. M. Bowdler ◽  
N. D. Casey ◽  
R. J. Moss
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Prairie Grass

Summary. Irrigated, pure stands of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), prairie grass (Bromus willdenodii cv. Matua) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. AU Triumph) were compared with Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum cv. Concord) under grazing in the subtropics of south-east Queensland. Pastures were fertilised with 50 kg nitrogen/ha . month as urea and annual dressings of 20 kg phosphorus/ha and 50 kg potassium/ha (as superphosphate and muriate of potash, respectively). There were 4 pasture treatments grazed by multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows at 3 cows/ha in a 1-week-on, 3-weeks-off rotation with 2 replicates and 3 cows/treatment block. Feed on offer was measured weekly and pasture quality, at the mid point of each of the 4 seasons. Detailed measurements on plant and tiller dynamics were recorded on fixed quadrats within the grazing areas from November to May in the second and third years. Yield of pasture on offer was greatest with prairie grass and the difference was most marked in spring and early summer. Yield of fescue was generally higher than that from the other 3 grasses in the autumn. In the second and third summers, the grass weed component in the 2 ryegrass, and to a lesser extent the prairie grass, pastures was greater than the sown grass component. Fescue generally produced forage lower in quality than the other 3 grasses although the differences were small in summer. The forage quality of Italian ryegrass was higher than perennial ryegrass in most seasons and for most attributes measured. Generally prairie grass had similar quality forage to the ryegrasses but at times it was as low as fescue. Fescue was the most persistent grass; it maintained a frequency of occurrence of 88, 56 and 71% in the first, second and third autumn periods, respectively, compared with 36, 37 and 21% for perennial ryegrass. To achieve these persistence figures, perennial ryegrass needed over-sowing in each autumn. Plant density and tiller numbers per plant fell in all grasses from November to May but the fall was significantly less in fescue than in other grasses. It was concluded that all 3 temperate perennial grasses demonstrated traits which were useful for subtropical dairy pastures. Fescue was the most persistent and the only grass which could sustain grazing in autumn. The performance of Italian ryegrass was as good as that of perennial ryegrass in the first year but fell substantially in the second and third years as the level of summer grass invasion suppressed the existing population and made oversowing increasingly less effective. Prairie grass produced the highest dry matter on offer under grazing, its forage quality was generally similar to that of the ryegrasses and it regenerated from self-sown seed.

Performance of temperate perennial pastures in the Australian subtropics 2. Milk production

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 677 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Bowdler ◽  
N. D. Casey ◽  
R. J. Moss ◽  
K. F. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
The Third ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Milk Component

Summary. Milk production from irrigated, pure stands of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), prairie grass (Bromus willdenodii cv. Matua) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. AU Triumph) were compared with that achieved from Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum cv. Concord) over 3 lactations of multiparous Holstein–Friesian cows at Mutdapilly in south-east Queensland. Pastures were fertilised with 50 kg nitrogen/ha . month as urea and annual dressings of 20 kg phosphorus/ha and 50 kg potassium/ha (as superphosphate and muriate of potash respectively). There were 4 pasture treatments grazed at 3 cows/ha in a 1-week-on, 3-weeks-off rotation with 2 replicates and 3 cows/treatment block. Cows grazed the pastures day and night from May to November. Over summer, cows grazed the pastures during the night and were fed supplements (silage in the first lactation, and lucerne hay in the second and third lactations) during the day because there was no shade available in the irrigation areas. In autumn, the animals were removed from the ryegrass and prairie grass pastures for 8 weeks to allow seedling re-establishment, either by oversowing (ryegrasses) or natural reseeding (prairie grass). Cows continued to graze the fescue pastures at night during autumn. All cows received a ration of 4 kg/cow of a grain–minerals mixture in the first lactation and 5 kg/cow in the second and third lactations. Milk production from perennial ryegrass was higher than from fescue in the first lactation and Italian ryegrass in the second and third lactations. Prairie grass gave similar milk production to perennial ryegrass in all 3 years. In the third year, perennial ryegrass, prairie grass and fescue gave similar milk production. Milk quality from the 4 grasses was similar except in the third lactation when the lactose content of milk from perennial ryegrass pastures was lowest. There were also small and inconsistent differences in milk component yields between the 4 grasses. Liveweight changes were small except in the second lactation when the cows grazing fescue lost weight relative to the other treatments. Mean liveweight at calving increased over the 3 lactations. It was concluded that all 3 temperate perennial grasses demonstrated useful traits for use in subtropical dairy pastures. Perennial ryegrass produced the most milk from the lowest amount of dry matter on offer. Prairie grass produced similar milk yields to perennial ryegrass, was well eaten by cattle and was self regenerating. Although fescue was slower to establish and needed more intensive management to control maturity, it was the most persistent and was the only grass to provide autumn grazing. In the second year this attribute resulted in a lower requirement for supplementary feeding. Fescue produced the highest gross margin in the second lactation and was only marginally less than prairie grass in the third. The performance of Italian ryegrass was as good as that of perennial ryegrass in the first lactation but fell substantially in the second and third lactations as the level of summer grass invasion increased.

Production and forage quality of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii) in comparison to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in subtropical dairy pastures

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. F. M. Fennell ◽  
K. Slack
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Tiller Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

A grazing study was conducted, over a 3-year period (1997–99), on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to compare the yield of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii cv. Matua), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Vulcan) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), on a well-drained red krasnozem soil at Wollongbar Agricultural Research Institute (WAI) and on a heavy clay soil at Casino. The effect of grazing interval (equivalent to the time taken to regrow 1.5, 2.5 or 4 leaves/tiller) in spring, and forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring was also assessed. At both sites, the dry matter (DM) yields of prairie grass over the establishment year and in year 2 were significantly (P<0.001) higher than for the other 2 grass species (mean for 2 years over the 2 sites was 23.8, 8.9 and 7.7 t DM/ha for prairie grass, ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively). In year 3, there was no production of tall fescue or ryegrass at the WAI site while prairie grass produced 11.3 t DM/ha although this was obtained from natural seedling recruitment after the sward was sprayed with a herbicide in February of that year. At the Casino site, ryegrass and tall fescue still made substantial growth in year 3 (3.1 and 2.1 t DM/ha for ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively) but this was significantly below the yields of prairie grass (5.5 t DM/ha). More frequent grazing of prairie grass in spring (equivalent to 1.5 leaves/tiller of regrowth) led to significantly (P<0.05) less plants surviving summer and less seedling recruitment in the following autumn. The annual yield of the 1.5 leaf treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments but only in the third year of the study. Analysis of prairie grass forage samples, taken in June (vegetative sward) and November (reproductive sward), gave magnesium values of less than 0.2% DM which is below the concentration found in ryegrass and that recommended for dairy cattle. The Ca : P and K : (Ca + Mg) ratios in prairie grass improved, as a forage for dairy cows, with regrowth time up to 5 leaves/tiller. Metabolisable energy remained constant with regrowth time in June at 10.8 MJ/kg DM but fell significantly in November from 10.7 MJ/kg DM, immediately post-grazing, to 9.2 MJ/kg DM at the 4.5 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. In contrast to observations in ryegrass, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forage samples of prairie grass taken in November showed a substantial increase with regrowth time to over 12% DM at the 3 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. The high productivity and forage quality of prairie grass obtained over a 3-year period suggests this grass species could be a suitable temperate perennial grass for subtropical dairy pastures. An appropriately long grazing interval in spring seems critical to optimise plant survival over summer and for adequate seed set for seedling recruitment the following autumn. If summer weeds and/or grasses invade to a significant extent, the large seedbank of prairie grass provides the opportunity to spray out the pasture in summer and rely on seedling recruitment to establish a new sward in autumn. The forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring is similar to perennial ryegrass but the magnesium levels are substantially lower and stock grazing this type of pasture for extended periods would need to be supplemented with this mineral.

Direct drilling tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) into kikuyu and paspalum pastures

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Prairie Grass

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were direct-drilled into paspalum and kikuyu pastures at Camden (1980-83) and Bega (1 982) in New South Wales. Prior to sowing, pastures were either slashed or slashed and sprayed with herbicide. In 1980, paraquat (0.28 kg a.i./ha) and glyphosate (0.5 kg a.i./ha) were compared with slashing-only at a March sowing. In 1982 and 1983, glyphosate only was compared with slashing, and grasses were sown on four occasions at 5-week intervals from late January or mid- February to early June. Seedlings were counted and weights of individual seedlings were measured at about 5 weeks after sowing, and pasture yield and species composition were measured 10 weeks after sowing, at the end of winter, and on selected plots, in winter in the following year. In 1980, plant density and dry matter yield at the first harvest of prairie grass and tall fescue was better from plots treated with glyphosate than from those treated with paraquat or slashed-only. However, plant density and dry matter yield of ryegrass was unaffected by preparation. In 1982 and 1983, plant densities 5 weeks after sowing increased with the use of glyphosate, and with later sowing. Prairie grass was least sensitive to sowing time establishing similar populations of between 50 and 150 seedlings/m2 from February to May. Tall fescue only established satisfactory seedling populations (50 to 200 seedlings/m2) at April and May-June sowings with glyphosate; it required suppression of competition, and low temperatures for faster growth than kikuyu and paspalum. The use of glyphosate reduced total pasture production during the first 10 weeks from 5 to 3 t/ha, but the contribution of sown grasses was increased. Winter production was greatest from sowings in March and April. Italian ryegrass always produced significant quantities of dry matter at the first cut and in winter; tall fescue was never productive in the first year. Persistence of prairie grass and tall fescue from 1982 sowings until 1983 was good, and highest tiller densities of 300-400 and 800 tillers/m2 respectively occurred from April sowings with glyphosate. Between June and September 1983, prairie grass and tall fescue from these plots produced about 3 and 2 t/ha of dry matter respectively. As seedling vigour declined from Italian ryegrass to prairie grass to tall fescue, conditions required for successful establishment became more stringent. Persistence and production of perennials was excellent if sown at the right time to encounter favourable temperatures, and competition was suppressed. Mixtures thus established need to be assessed on a paddock scale under grazing to determine their final viability.

Growth, persistence, and rust sensitivity of irrigated perennial temperate grasses in the Queensland subtropics

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
KF Lowe ◽  
TM Bowdler
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
First Year ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Second Year

The growth, persistence, and rust sensitivity of a range of temperate grasses were measured to assess their potential for irrigated pastures in the subtropics. Characteristics considered important for adaptation to the subtropics include a relatively even growth rate throughout the year, rust tolerance, and the ability to persist under humid conditions. Cultivars and experimental lines from Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), L. rnultiflorum (Italian ryegrass), Festuca arundiizacea (fescue), Festuca x Lolium (festulolium), Bromus spp. (prairie grass and bromes), Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot), and Phalaris aquatica (phalaris) were sown at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland, in pure stands or mixtures of annual and perennial grasses, using high seeding rates, 50 kg N/ha.defoliation, and full irrigation throughout the year. As a group, the fescues were the highest yielding and most persistent over 2 years, with AU Triumph the highest yielding cultivar. Maru phalaris was the most persistent grass, increasing from a frequency of 85% at the end of the first year to 100% at the end of the second year. Perennial ryegrass yields were about two-thirds those of the fescues, with a frequency of around 70% after 2 years. Dobson was the best ryegrass, producing a greater proportion of its forage in summer and increasing its density over the 2 years compared with the other perennial ryegrasses. Mixtures of annual ryegrass and fescue cultivars produced yields equivalent to pure fescue swards, with production dominated by annual ryegrass in the first year and by fescue in the second. Matua prairie grass was high yielding, but under frequent cutting was not as persistent as the ryegrasses. Felopa festulolium was inferior to the perennial ryegrasses and fescues in yield, the distribution of that yield, and persistence. Weeds contributed 1-10% of total yield over 2 years. The experiment suggests that the fescue cultivars are the most productive temperate grasses for perennial irrigated pastures in the subtropics, although better animal performance would improve farmer acceptance. The addition of a ryegrass component to fescue swards increased yields during establishment but did not improve overall yields. Late-maturing cultivars are the highest yielding of the perennial ryegrasses. Rust sensitivity needs improvement as all the present lines are highly susceptible.

Leaf development in eight related grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Gao ◽  
D. Wilman
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Rate Of Increase

SummaryLeaf development was studied in eight related grasses, grown in field swards cut at 5-week intervals, during the year of sowing and the subsequent year (1989 and 1990). The rate of leaf expansion was in the order Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue > hybrid ryegrass > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The order of grasses was similar, but not identical, for rate of leaf appearance, rate of leaf extension, weight of leaf blade emerging per shoot per week and rate of increase in length of exposed leaf sheath, and the order was approximately the reverse for weight per unit area of emerging leaf blade. The area per leaf blade increased greatly between May and October of the year of sowing, particularly in Westerwolds, Italian and hybrid ryegrasses and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue. Area per leaf blade in tall fescue increased greatly between May and July of the year of sowing and May–July of the subsequent year. Rate of leaf expansion in meadow fescue was much higher in May of the year after sowing than in the previous May.

Relative Tolerance of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) to Flucarbazone

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick E. McCullough ◽  
Jialin Yu ◽  
James T. Brosnan ◽  
Gregory K. Breeden
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Growth Chamber ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Relative Tolerance ◽  
Sequential Treatments

Flucarbazone controls certain grassy weeds in wheat and may have potential for controlling perennial ryegrass in tall fescue turf. The objective of these experiments was to investigate perennial ryegrass and tall fescue tolerance to flucarbazone at two application timings. In field experiments, flucarbazone applications in May were more injurious to both species than in February and March. Single applications of flucarbazone from 30 to 60 g ai ha−1in May injured both species 35 to 50% and sequential treatments increased injury approximately twofold. Two applications of flucarbazone at 60 g ha−1in May injured both grasses > 90%, similar to sequential applications of trifloxysulfuron at 29 g ai ha−1. In growth chamber experiments, injury from flucarbazone on both grasses increased as temperature increased from 10 to 30 C. Flucarbazone reduced total shoot biomass of both grasses at all temperatures after 4 wk. Overall, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are tolerant to flucarbazone at moderate temperatures (10 to 20 C). However, injury increased substantially under warmer conditions (30 C), suggesting flucarbazone could control perennial ryegrass and tall fescue during late spring and early summer.

Regrowth of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in response to temperature and defoliation

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Slack ◽  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. M. Scott
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

This glasshouse study was undertaken to determine the effect of temperature and defoliation on the regrowth of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth cv. Matua) in comparison with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Dobson). Individual plants of prairie grass and perennial ryegrass were grown in 2 mini-swards with one half as prairie grass and the other as ryegrass. From H0 (13 weeks after sowing) to the completion of the experiment at H3, one sward was maintained at a day/night temperature of 18/10˚C and the other at 25/15˚C. From H0 to H1, prairie grass was defoliated 4 times at the time taken to regrow 1 new leaf per tiller (1-leaf stage), 2 times at the 2-leaf stage, or once at the 4-leaf stage to 60, 90, or 120 mm stubble height. Similarly, ryegrass was defoliated 3 times at the 1- leaf stage, once at the 1-leaf stage then once at the 2-leaf stage, or once at the 3-leaf stage to 30, 60, or 90 mm stubble height. Plants were subsequently harvested at H1, H2, and H3, being the commencement, mid-point, and completion of the full regrowth cycle (4- and 3-leaf stage for prairie grass and ryegrass, respectively). Prairie grass was more adversely affected by frequent defoliation than ryegrass. The combination of high temperature and frequent defoliation reduced growth rates by 66 v. 54%, stubble dry matter (DM) by 50 v. 11%, root DM by 62 v. 45%, and stubble water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) by 52 v. 21% for prairie grass and ryegrass, respectively. In contrast, ryegrass was more affected by defoliation height than prairie grass, particularly at the higher temperature. Close defoliation and high temperature reduced growth rate by 35 v. 25%, root DM by 18 v. 0%, and stubble WSC by 84% v. 36% for ryegrass and prairie grass, respectively. The number of tillers per plant was reduced by close defoliation, more so at the high temperature in ryegrass but not in prairie grass. Defoliating prairie grass to 90 mm stubble height at the 4-leaf per tiller stage compared with the 1-leaf per tiller led to maximum restoration of stubble WSC reserves as well as maximising leaf and root growth. The higher stubble WSC and greater root DM of prairie grass, together with its ability to maintain growth rates and tillering under high temperature, are attributes which explain why prairie grass appears to be more productive and persistent than ryegrass in a subtropical environment.

Yield and persistence of selected perennial grasses in south-western Australia

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (81) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Rogers ◽  
DA Nicholas ◽  
RA Maller ◽  
GW Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Gravelly Soils

Nine lines of Dactylis glomerata, five of Phalaris tuberosa, two of Festuca arundinacea, and two of Lolium perenne were compared over a three year period for survival and seasonal yield on two sites on lateritic gravelly soils in south-western Australia. On plots sown broadcast at two seeding rates and grazed periodically, yield and density were measured. On other plots that were drill sown and grazed either continuously or rotationally, density only was measured. In the broadcast plots, there was no interaction between seeding rates and plant yield or plant density. There were significant differences in yield of sown grass between lines in all years, but in total yield (i.e. sown grass plus volunteer annuals) at one site only. Significant differences in density between lines were recorded in all plots. At one site final plant density was similar in the broadcast and drill sown plots, whereas at the second site there were large differences between the broadcast and drilled plots. On a survival and yield basis the best lines of each were D. glomerate cv. Currie, P. tuberosa cv. Australian, F. arundinacea CPI 15301, and L. perenne CPI 15914. F. arundinacea gave outstanding winter yields.

Herbage production and tiller density in five related grasses, their hybrids and mixtures

1996 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
Y. Gao
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYFour grass species, three hybrids and three mixtures were grown in field swards near Aberystwyth. All swards were amply supplied with nutrients and were cut at 5-week intervals during the year of sowing (1989) and during the following 4 years. The order of the grasses in rate of establishment was: Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) > Italian ryegrass × perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) > tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). During the sowing year as a whole, Italian ryegrass was the highest yielding grass, followed by Westerwolds ryegrass. During the remaining period (1990–93), as a whole, the highest yields were obtained from perennial ryegrass sown alone or in a mixture with tall fescue. Tall fescue sown alone was one of the lowest yielding grasses in the year of sowing, but developed to be the highest yielding in 1992 and 1993. Westerwolds ryegrass persisted least well, although some plants did survive until 1992. Italian ryegrass persisted better than Westerwolds and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted better than Italian ryegrass. Hybrid ryegrass and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted satisfactorily but with fewer tillers/m2 than perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. The yield of tall fescue in March was as high as that of Italian ryegrass in 1990 and 1991 and higher than that of any of the other grasses in 1992 and 1993; the tiller density of tall fescue was particularly high in March. The yield of mixtures (Italian ryegrass with perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass with tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with tall fescue) was, on average, 2·5% more than the mean of the component species when sown alone. When grown with ryegrass, tall fescue was not prominent initially but its proportion in the sward gradually increased.

PERSISTENCE OF A RANGE OF GRASSES IN A CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

1999 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
K. H. Dong ◽  
Z. L. Jin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Third ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
Hybrid Cultivar ◽  
Continental Climate

The possibility of growing grasses of higher quality than tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in a continental climate with cold winters, hot summers and low precipitation was investigated with and without irrigation at Taigu, Shanxi, China. Tall fescue was compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and a perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue hybrid cultivar in field swards, managed by cutting, during the year of sowing and in the three subsequent years. Tall fescue persisted satisfactorily throughout the experiment, even without irrigation. With irrigation, the other three grasses persisted satisfactorily to the end of the second harvest year and fairly satisfactorily to the end of the third harvest year. Without irrigation, the other three grasses had incomplete ground cover in the second harvest year and did not recover from the third winter.

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