Dj. Barker et N. Dymock, INTRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, AND PERSISTENCE OF 5 GRASS SPECIES IN DRY HILL-COUNTRY .6. BALLANTRAE, NORTH-ISLAND, NEW-ZEALAND, New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 36(1), 1993, pp. 41-47
Despite receiving more than 1000 mm rainfall annually, north- and west
-facing slopes in hill country at Ballantrae are examples of areas of
New Zealand that suffer seasonal water deficits and production loss. T
he objective of this experiment was to evaluate the persistence and pr
oduction of 'Grasslands Nui' ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), 'Grasslands
Wana' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (
Phalaris aquatica L.), 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus willde
nowii Kunth), and 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Sc
hreb.), under grazing, for greater stability and quantity of productio
n. Pasture production (1982-86) was similar for all species (average =
9060 kg DM/ha) and was significantly greater than that of resident pa
stures (6050 kg DM/ha). The most persistent grass species was Wana coc
ksfoot, followed by Nui ryegrass. Roa tall fescue was of intermediate
persistence, and Maru phalaris and Matua prairie grass showed difficul
ty persisting in this environment.