Winter Forage Production and in Vitro Digestibility of Some Phalaris Aquatica Introductions1

Abstract

Several unselected Phalaris aquatica L. plant introductions made nearly twice as much winter (Nov.‐Feb.) production as Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) or Auburn reed canarygrass (P. arundinacea L.) over a 4‐year period in central Alabama. Digestible dry matter of P. aquatica forage was high and superior to tall fescue in the spring. The wide range in winter productivity, growth habit, time of anthesis and summer dormancy make this species promising for breeding varieties adapted to the Lower Coastal Plain of the U.S.A.