Comparing of a Yearly Agronomic Characteristics and Yields of Festulolium Hybrids

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to examine the winter hardiness, heading date, quality, and yields of Festulolium hybrids, Festuca pratensis and Lolium multiflorum, which were cultivated during September 2005 to July 2006 at Suwon and Namwon. The results are as follows; Perun, Boxer, and Fleurial showed stronger or same level of hardiness than Hwasan 101, which is one of the strongest hybrids in winter hardiness. Therefore, we did not detect any problem in winter hardiness when these hybrids were cultivated in Korea. These are turned out to be mid and late maturing hybrids. The average heading date of three hybrids were 24 to 27 May in Suwon and Namwon. These date are same or 3 days later than Hwasan 101. The average fresh yields of 3 hybrids were increased by 17～29% than that of Hwasan 101. And the dry matter yields of Perun, Boxer, and Fleurial were increased by 39%, 26%, and 29%, respectively, than that of Hwasan 101. We could not detect any difference in the average fresh and dry matter yields between region, however there were significant differences in hybrids(p<0.05). Crude protein contents of 3 hybrids were higher to 14.3～16.6% than that of Hwasan 101. The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were decreased by 3.9 and 7.0%, respectively, comparing to Hwasan 101. Therefore these hybrids have turned out to be excellent feed quality hybrids.