Introduction, production, and persistence of five grass species in dry hill country

Abstract

Grass species were rotary-hoe-drilled into hieracium-dominated fescue tussock. Late autumn and early spring herbage accumulation and composition were determined after three summer grazing treatments (0,6, and 10 weeks freedom from grazing), and two pre-winter grazing managements. Subplots compared species production and persistence at two superphosphate (P) and three nitrogen (N) fertiliser levels. Over the 7 years, sown grasses only occasionally made significant contribution to the sward. ‘Grasslands Apanui’ cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was the best introduced species, reaching dominance in 66% of subplots receiving P and N in the third year. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schieb.) made some contribution to sward production, and there were only occasional plants of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) and tall oat grass (Arrenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. ex J.&C. Presl). The principal response was to fertiliser, with alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) responding to P in the early years, and resident fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zealandiae)(Hack.) Ckn, sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum L.), and browntop (Agrostis copillaris L.) to N in later years. Summer spelling increased March herbage mass but decreased late-autumn growth. Pre-winter lax grazing only slightly increased spring growth.

Keywords:

• Lolium perenne L.
• ‘Grasslands Nui’
• ryegrass
• Dactylis glomerata L.
• ‘Grasslands Wana’
• cocksfoot
• Phalaris aquatica L.
• ‘Grasslands Maru’
• phalaris
• Bromus willdenowii Kunth
• ‘Grasslands Matua’
• prairie grass
• Festuca arundinacea Schreb.
• ‘Grasslands Roa’
• tall fescue
• Arrenatherum elatius?
• tall oat grass
• fertiliser
• high country
• grazing management