YIELD AND MINERAL CONCENTRATION OF HIMAG COMPARED TO OTHER TALL FESCUE CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT

HiMag is an experimental cultivar derived from Missouri 96 (Mo96) and Kentucky 31 (K31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) parentage for increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and reduced potassium (K)/ (Ca+Mg). Our objective was to determine productivity and mineral char acteristics of endophyte-free (E-) HiMag in relation to standard tall fescue cultivars when grown in the Southern Piedmont Land Resource Are a. In experiment 1, HiMag (E-) and K31 (E-) were grown at two levels o f phosphorus (P), K, and lime additions to both severely eroded, and n on-eroded Cecil soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic family of Typic Hapl udults). Herbage Ca and Mg were greater and K/(Ca+ Mg) and yield were less for HiMag than for K31. Phosphorus and K concentrations were not different. Herbage yields, P, Ca, and Mg concentrations were increased by P, K, and lime additions. In experiment 2, HiMag(E-), K31(E-), end ophyte-infected K31(E+), Mo I(E+), Mo II (E+), and AU Triumph (E-) wer e planted either in a prepared seedbed or planted without tillage into the Cecil soil. HiMag yields were not different from Mo-I, Mo-II or K 31(E+/-), but were less than those of AU Triumph (E-). HiMag yield res ponse to no-till planting, past soil erosion, and fertilizer level was similar to that of K31 (E+/-). Fertilizer level, and soil condition a ffected the magnitude of differences In mineral levels in HiMag and K3 1 (E+/-), but K/(Ca+Mg) values were more favorable in HiMag. All tall fescue cultivars established equally well in no-till or prepared seedb eds. Aside from a slightly lower first harvest yield there were no imp ortant effects of planting no-till versus planting in a prepared seedb ed. HiMag's agronomic attributes, while not superior to other cultivar s, were sufficient to justify further testing to improve Mg nutrition of grazing animals.