INTRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, AND PERSISTENCE OF 5 GRASS SPECIES IN DRY HILL-COUNTRY .4. CARVOSSA, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW-ZEALAND

Three trials to evaluate new grass cultivars, were attempted on a nort h-facing aspect in North Canterbury, New Zealand, between late March 1 980 and early May 1982. The difficulty of establishing new pastures in this steep dry hill country resulted in the failure of the first two trials. The third trial used spaced transplants to evaluate 'Grassland s Wana' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). and 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus w illdenowii Kunth). Wana was the most productive, Matua was intermediat e, and Maru phalaris was the least productive. Survival was poor, howe ver, and the role of new pastures in improving this extremely dry hill country must take second place to grazing management.