INTRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, AND PERSISTENCE OF 5 GRASS SPECIES IN DRY HILL-COUNTRY .8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The production and persistence of five oversown grass species and resi dent pasture, were measured between 1979 and 1987 at six New Zealand s ites, under several fertiliser (phosphate and/or nitrogen (N)) and sum mer grazing severity treatments. 'Grasslands Nui' ryegrass (Lolium per enne L.), 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) ('Grassl ands Apanui' at Tekapo), 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth), and 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), establish ed successfully at most sites. Findlay-Wilkinson analysis of annual to tal herbage accumulation (THA) of four sites, found that Maru producti on was above average and resident production was below average. Variat ion in THA between sites and years was related to variation in annual rainfall (621-1484 mm/year). Wana was the most persistent grass at all sites (60% of THA after 4-6 years), followed by Nui (51% of THA after 4-6 years). Maru was only persistent at Southland, Wairarapa, and Tau po (averaging 39% of THA after 4-6 years). Matua was only persistent a t Wairarapa (32% of THA over 5 years), and Roa was only persistent at Taupo (58% of THA over 5 years). At most sites, at least one grass spe cies (in many instances more) out-performed the resident sward.