Chilliwack-VR orchardgrass

Abstract

Chilliwack-VR is a medium-maturing orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) population with high levels of resistance to Cocksfoot Mottle Virus (CfMV) suited to silage and hay production in regions with a moderate temperate climate. The population was developed at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Agassiz, BC, in collaboration with AAFC Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB. In BC trials, Chilliwack-VR yielded 5% more than the check cultivar Potomac without inoculation with CfMV and 23% better than the check when inoculated with the virus. In a southern Alberta trial, Chilliwack-VR survived for 3 yr and yielded as much biomass as a winterhardy check cultivar, Kay. Key words: Orchardgrass, Cocksfoot Mottle Virus resistance, Dactylis glomerata