Tropical Grasslands (2008) Volume 42, 126
Evaluating temperate species in the subtropics.
2. Perennial grasses
K.F. LOWE1, T.M. BOWDLER1, N.D. CASEY1,
S.A. LOWE1, J.A. WHITE1 AND P.M. PEPPER2
1 Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries, Mutdapilly Research Station, Peak
Crossing, Queensland, Australia
2 Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries, Animal Research Institute,
Yeerongpilly, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
A series of 3-year experiments, spanning the
period 19932006, evaluated the performance of
commercially available cultivars and breeders’
lines of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne),
tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), brome grass
(Bromus spp.) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica)
and the herbs, chicory (Cichorium intybus) and
plantain (Plantago lanceolata) under irrigation
in a subtropical environment. Measurements
included annual and total dry matter (DM) yields,
seasonal yields, persistence and resistance to rust
in pure, nitrogen-fertilised swards.
Summer-active tall fescue cultivars averaged
around 50 (range 4070) t/ha DM over 3 years,
except at Mutdapilly where the average was
25 (range 1134) t/ha DM. This was 30% more
than perennial ryegrass cultivars (38 t/ha DM),
with the prairie grasses (45 t/ha DM) intermediate
between these extremes. About 45% of
this total yield from all species occurred in the
first year. The most productive cultivars were
AU Triumph, Dovey, Quantum, Jesup and Jesup
MaxP. Grasslands Matua and Atom produced
the highest yields for brome grass and Tolosa,
Fitzroy, Dobson, Bronsyn, Cannon and Quartet
were the highest-yielding of the perennial ryegrasses,
along with the hybrid ryegrass, Horizon.
Tall fescue produced higher spring, summer and
autumn yields than the perennial ryegrasses in
this environment, with perennial ryegrasses superior
in winter.
Differences in persistence were of even greater
magnitude; tall fescue cultivars were around twice
as persistent as the perennial ryegrasses, while
the bromes were less persistent than the perennial
ryegrasses under a cut-and-carry regime.
Incidence of crown rust was generally lower
in tall fescue than in perennial ryegrass. However,
the newer ryegrass cultivars and some experimental
lines showed higher resistance than the
older cultivars. Phalaris and the brome grasses
were not infected by rust.
First-year yields explained 67% of the variation
in 3-year total yields and 50% of the
variation in persistence after 3 years. The possibility
of using detailed sampling in the first year
and persistence over 3 years as a method of
predicting cultivar performance is discussed.