Introduction, production, and persistence of five grass species in dry hill country

Abstract

Grass species were rotary-hoe-drilled into hieracium-dominated fescut;! tussock. Late autumn and early spring herbage accumulation and composition were determined after three summer grazing treatments (0, 6, and 10 weeks freedom from grazing), and two pre-winter grazing managements. Subplots compared species production and persistence at two superphosphate (P) and three nitrogen (N) fertiliser levels. Over the 7 years, sown grasses only occasionally made significant contribution to the sward. 'Grasslands Apanui' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was the best introduced s~e.cies, reaching dominance in 66% of subplots receIvmg P and N in the third year. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) made some contribution to sward production, and there were only occasional plants of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) and tall oat grass (Arrenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. ex J.&C. Presl). The principal response was to fertiliser, ~ith alsi~e clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) respondmg to P m the early years, and resident fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zealandiae)(Hack.) Ckn, sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum L.), and browntop (Agrostis copillaris L.) to N in later years. Summer spelling increased March herbage mass but decreased late-autumn growth. Pre-winter lax grazing only slightly increased spring growth.

Introduction, production, and persistence of five grass species in dry hill country

“…Although Apanui was more persistent at Tekapo than other grass species, it did show evidence of a decline in SG% after 7 years. Other cocksfoot varieties ('Grasslands Kara') showed evidence of better persistence at this site (Pollock & Scott 1993).…”

“…Grass species trials were conducted and reported separately in a co-ordinated programme at six sites throughout New Zealand-Fairplace, Southland (Stevens & Turner 1993); Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Country (Pollock & Scott 1993); Carvossa, North Canterbury (Archie et al 1993); Rawhiti, Wairarapa ; Ballantrae, southern Hawkes Bay ; and Aratiatia, Taupo ). This paper draws conclusions from these trials and makes generalisations for the use of these species in dry hill country.…”

Sustainability of New Zealand high‐country pastures under contrasting development inputs. 2. Soil inorganic components

“…Previous studies have examined the effect of fertiliser on high-country soil properties as part of pasture development or revegetation (O'Connor 1962;Dunbar & Adams 1972;Davis 1981;Mclntosh et al 1984;Floate & Enright 1991;Pollock & Scott 1993;Svavarsdottir 1995;Boswell 1997). In New Zealand generally, interest has focussed on the P components of soils, both in relation to the distribution of natural vegetation, and for the development of legume-based pastures.…”

Over-Drilling New Zealand Tussock Rangeland with or without a Previous Legume Phase

“…), Lake Tekapo on previously hieracium (Hieracium pilosella L.) infested fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zelandiae (Hack) Cockayne) grasslands and commenced in 1990. One block of the trial had been partially developed eight years previously with sod-seed drilling of different grass species with legumes and two annual superphosphate x three nitrogen fertiliser treatments [2]. That trial had been largely unsuccessful with a good early phase of alsike clover (T. hybridum L.) dominance but poor establishment of sown grasses.…”

“…Those treatments included: with or without a previous development legume dominant phase; sowing method (surface broadcast, disc drill, or experimental drill giving partial cultivation); prior herbicide treatment; use of starter nitrogen fertiliser; fertiliser placement in relation to seed; sowing season; grass species and accompanying legume species [2][3][4][5][6].…”