Effects of Seeding Time on Growth Characteristics and Seed Production of Tall Fescue

Abstract

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is one of cool-season adapted perennial grass species and has been cultivated worldwide as a important forage and lawn grass. In this study, we evaluated the seed production of new tall fescue cultivar, 'Purum', which was cultivated in Korea. Agronomic aspects of tall fescue were determined using seed production and forage nutritive value of straw at the National Institute of Animal Science, RDA from 2012 to 2013. The heading date according to the seeding time displayed 2~3 days differences. The harvested seed yields were the largest (1,711 kg/ha) when seeding date at September 17 th , whereas it decreased when planted ten days earlier or later than at that time. The thousand-grain weight of gathering seeds was 2 g, and the germination rate was 80 to 83% showing no significant differences among the different seeding times. The yield of fresh weight and dry matter were the largest (63,556 kg/ha and 16,926 kg/ha, respectively) when planted at September 17 th . The dry matter yield was gradually decreased with delaying seeding time as 10 days period. However, nutritive values of straw did not showed significant differences.