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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306335

Title: Productivity and persistence of multi-cultivar perennial ryegrass

Author
item Skinner, Robert
item SMITH, RICHARD - University Of New Hampshire
item BOSWORTH, SIDNEY - University Of Vermont
item KERSBERGEN, RICHARD - University Of Maine

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2014
Publication Date: 11/2/2014
Citation: Skinner, R.H., Smith, R.G., Bosworth, S.C., Kersbergen, R.J. 2014. Productivity and persistence of multi-cultivar perennial ryegrass[Abstract]. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Perennial ryegrass is an exceptionally high quality forage grass but its use in the northeast has been limited because it is typically not as winter hardy as other perennial forage grasses. This can be a particularly difficult problem for winters such as 2013-2014 which experienced wide-spread and long lasting cold conditions. Substantial research over the years has shown that pasture productivity can be improved by sowing multiple species from different functional groups but little is known about the benefits, if any, of sowing multiple cultivars within a species. This multi-state project (ME, NH, VT, and PA) compared the productivity and persistence of 1-, 3- and 5-cultivar mixtures of perennial ryegrass selected for differences in heading date, winter hardiness, and ploidy. Plots contained white clover as a nitrogen source and were managed according to organic farming practices. This presentation will include yield data from the 2013 growing season and winter survival data collected in the spring of 2014.