PRODUCTION AND PERSISTENCE OF SHORT-TERM RYEGRASSES IN THE NORTHERN NORTH ISLAND

Abstract

A range of short-term ryegrasses. including the Grasslands cultivars Moata, Paroa. Tama and Manawa, and Progrow and Corvette, were evaluated at 4 sites in Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. At three of the sites comparisons were also made with Ellett or'Grasslands Nui perennial ryegrasses. Tama and Progrow had strong winter growth but later were relatively poor. Moata and Paroa had stronger spring growth than Tama or Progrow. The persistence beyond one year of Moata and Paroa in grazed pastures was poor. Corvette, an Italian ryegrass ecotype from near Tauranga, had consistently higher yields than Manawa, Moata or Paroa This sometimes increased total pasture yields. Corvette also had ability to persist at least 4 years after sowing. None of the short-term ryegrasses gave summer or autumn productivity as high as Nui or Ellett ryegrasses. A mixture of Ellett and Corvette showed seasonal growth characteristics of both cultivars, implying a production advantage over either sown alone. This paper advocates re-evaluating the role of short-term ryegrasses in the Auckland Province, consequent on the apparent ability of Corvette to co-exist with perennial ryegrasses. Keywords: Italian ryegrass. Moata, Paroa, Te Puna. Corvette, Tama, Progrow, Manawa, Nui, Ellett, persistence