The turfs quality of selected Slovak varieties of the genus Festuca under the conditions without irrigation

Abstract

The development of botanical composition (in % dominance) in the period 2005–2011 and growth-production process in the years 2007–2011 were evaluated in small-plots experiment with selected Slovak varieties of species of the genus Festuca. The experiment was realized under the conditions without irrigation of south-western Slovakia (locality Nitra). The data of botanical composition of turfs showed that fescue varieties were able to create well-covered vegetation (coverage 87–99 %) as early as next year after sowing in conditions without irrigation. In the next period, the differences in turf coverage between varieties were minimized. The total height of turf and average daily gain of height were the highest in F. arundinacea Schreb. varieties throughout the observed period with significant differences in year 2008 (p = 0.0239), 2009 (p = 0.0462) and 2011 (p = 0.0036). The most intensive growth had F. arundinacea Schreb. cv. Koreta (1.81 to 3.44 mm.d−1; i.e. very low to moderate intensity of growth). From point of view of aboveground phytomass production almost throughout the period were used varieties characterized by very low production of phytomass. Among years and varieties were observed differences in the ability thicken vegetation expressed as the ratio of the average daily gain of weight and average daily gain of height (W/H). F. rubra L. cv. Laroma (0.38 to 1.26 g.m−2.mm−1) and F. ovina L. cv. Grasina (0.37 to 1.54 g.m−2.mm−1) dominated in this indicator except for 2009, when higher values reached F. arundinacea Schreb. cv. Koreta and Levona (both 0.43 g.m−2.mm−1; F. rubra L. and F. ovina L. – 0.27 and 0.39 g.m−2.mm−1, respectively).