FUNGICIDE SEED TREATMENT OF RYEGRASSES TO IMPROVE SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT AND INCREASE FORAGE YIELDS

Abstract

Treatment of seed of four ryegrass cultivars (Lolium spp.) with captan or thiram before sowing increased herbage yields from field plots 3 months after sowing by 33% (Ruanui), 51% (Manawa), 51% (Paroa) and 104% (Moata). Herbage yields and numbers of established plants were closely correlated. A second trial measured yield of Ruanui during 12 months following sowing. Captan seed treatment increased dry matter by 51% at conventional seeding rates (17.5 kg/ ha). Dry matter from plots sown with captan treated seed at 2.2 kg/ha did not differ from that from plots sown with untreated seed at 17.5 kg/ ha. Routine treatment of ryegrass seed to improve seedling establishment is strongly recommended.