RESPONSE OF SOME RYEGRASS CULTIVARS TO OVERDRILLING IN SOUTHLAND

Abstract

A series of experiments investigating the response of several pasture grasses direct drilled into existing swards is reported. The technique has relevance to pasture renovation, improvement of winter forage production, and more rapid introduction into farming of improved pasture cultivars. Improvements in coulter design and use of pasture desiccants were coupled with direct drilling to assist plant establishment. It appeared that aggress,ive cultivars such as Nui and Tama ryegrasses were best suited to establishment by these techniques, and that lower seeding rates than those normally recommended were very successful. Methods of improving winter herbage production by using winter-active ryegrass cultivars without the need to resow to pasture in the following spring are discussed.