Comparison of the relative performance of perennial ryegrass varieties under upland and lowland conditions

Abstract

AbstractProductivity, seasonal growth and persistence of 10 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) varieties were assessed al an upland (305 m) and lowland (30 m) site in mid‐Wales. Averaged over 3 harvest years (1979–81), mean dry matter (DM) production at 8.8 t ha−1 was 22% lower in the upland environment, with spring (April and May) growth showing greatest contrast varying from only 6% of that in the lowland in 1979, after a severe winter, to 113% in 1981.Relative ranking of varieties differed considerably between the two environments and no correlation was found between DM production at the two sites (r= 0.5945). Early heading varieties performed better in the spring than late types at the upland site. A comparison of the results with those published from official variety testing trials gave a positive relationship under lowland conditions (r= 0.7162*) but no correlation with those from the upland centre (r= 0.1969).The findings of the study show that relative productivity of varieties, but not persistency, differs between upland and lowland environments.