Persistence of temperate perennial grasses in cutting trials on the central slopes of New South Wales

Abstract

Nine experiments were conducted on six different sites in the medium-rainfall (about 700 mm per year) area of central New South Wales to measure the persistence of 15 perennial grasses. Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica and P. aquatica x P. arundinacea) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cultivars were the most persistent, while perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars, Demeter fescue (Festuca arundznacea) and perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina) were only short-lived. The cultivars of phalaris were generally similar to each other in persistence, although in some trials Sirocco and Siro 1146 were more persistent and Seedmaster was less persistent than Australian. Berber was the most persistent cocksfoot cultivar, followed by Currie, then Brignoles. Medea was the most persistent perennial ryegrass cultivar, followed by Kangaroo Valley, then Victorian.