A COMPARISON OF RYEGRASS CULTIVARS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY 2. Annual cultivars

The results of three annual ryegrass cultivar trials showed that, of seven cultivars, the Dutch tetraploid Western Wolths Tewera Barenza established first and made good autumn growth. Three tetraploid Western Wolths cultivars including Grasslands Tama were observed to give the best early spring growth. In contrast, the two later maturing Dutch tetraploid Italian ryegrasses gave the highest late spring and early summer production, Poor maximum total yields, the tetraploid Western Wolths ryegrass Billion was the most consistent cultivar. In addition, the tetraploids, whether Italian or Western Wolths, tended to be more productive than the New Zealand diploid Grasslands Paroa (Ralian) or Gramlands Manawa (short-rotation) ryegrasses.