I. Temperate grasses

Abstract

Abstract Seasonal growth patterns in a range of temperate grasses were determined on mown plots on north- and south-facing aspects of high rainfall North Island hill country. On the north aspect, prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) cv. ‘Grasslands Matua’ was outstandingly superior to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cv. ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ at all times of the year except early spring. Marked superiority relative to Ruanui was also shown by phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) cv. G14 during winter and early spring, and by cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cv. K1986 during the autumn. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) cv. G4710, perennial ryegrass cv. ‘Grasslands Nui’, and K1986 were also superior to Ruanui over summer and autumn. On the south aspect, however, only Matua and G4710 outyielded Ruanui, and this superiority was restricted to the summerautumn period. It is suggested that the pattern of feed availability on hill country farms may be improved by oversowing these promising grasses into resident pasture, followed by appropriate management.