PERFORMANCE OF 'GRASSLANDS MATUA' PRAIRIE GRASS UNDER CLOSE MOWING IN THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND

Abstract

'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) was evaluated under close mowing (a) against cocksfoot, phalaris, and tall fescue as a companion grass for lucerne, on a pumice soil from 1974 to 1977 at sowing rates of 4, 13 and 22 kg/ha and (b) against ryegrasses in grass/white clover pastures on a sandy loam from 1975 to 1977. (a) In the first year lucerne/Matua sown at 13 and 22 kg/ha outyielded lucerne/Matua sown at 4 kg/ha by 19%, lucerne alone by 61%, and other mixtures by at least 21%. There were no significant differences in total production between the three lucerne/ Matua treatments, luccrne alone, and other mixtures over the second and third year. The inclusion of Matua reduced weed ingress. In the third year, Matua had a higher weed content than lucerne/tall fescue, which was almost weed free. (b) Annual production of Matua and Nui ryegrass swards was not significantly different. Matua swards were, however, superior to Nui from midsummer to early spring, whereas over spring/early summer Nui swards outproduced Matua swards.