Persistency, yield, and silage quality of Festulolium cultivars over a consecutive five-year period under a mild Atlantic climate

Abstract

Festulolium are hybrids between species within the Lolium and Festuca genera. They are attractive candidates for hybridisation due to their complementary characteristics in the context of forage production and environmental challenges, with Lolium exhibiting greater digestibility and Festuca possessing superior resilience to abiotic stress. To establish the extent of the representation of these characteristics in different Festulolium hybrids, a five-year field experiment was undertaken in a mild Atlantic climate. Four alternative species combinations and six pure species (controls) were evaluated for dry matter yield and persistency from 2014 to 2018, and various nutritional parameters in the first silage cut were measured from 2015 to 2017. Festulolium hybrids derived from L. multiflorum were found to group with both Lolium and Festuca pure species for a mean ground score to evaluate persistency (P < 0.05). Hybrid types of the L. perenne lineage were found to have ground score values more alike to their Lolium component and distinct from the F. pratensis pure species. In terms of dry matter yield, the majority of L. multiflorum hybrids observed formed a higher yielding group with the tetraploid L. multiflorum pure species and distinct from diploid F. pratensis pure species, whereas all other hybrid types and controls shared groups in common. For the nutrient content parameters including dry matter digestibility, water soluble sugars, and buffering capacity, Lolium pure species exhibited more favourable values, whereas hybrids were largely found to display intermediate to low values. Festuca pure species consistently exhibited poorer values with the exception of crude protein content where F. pratensis displayed the highest values and also the 2017 measurement of buffering capacity. In conclusion, the Festulolium hybrids shared characteristics with both parental types, but they often showed a greater likeness to the Lolium component.

Intensive Meadows on Organic Soils of Temperate Climate–Useful Value of Grass Mixtures after the Regeneration

“…Regarding the content of soluble sugars (68.0-135.5 g•kg −1 DM), the sward from site 1 stood out, with a floristic composition, which included only two species (Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne). It is consistent with the opinion of Curran et al [20], Kitczak et al [30], and Downing and Gamroth [35], who claim that their high soluble sugar content distinguishes Lolium perenne and Festulolium braunii from other species. The highest soluble sugar concentration was recorded in the fifth cut (99.4 g•kg −1 DM) and the lowest in the first (78.1 g•kg −1 DM).…”

“…Overall, the protein content in the research objects ranged from 144.3 to 201.3 g•kg −1 DM (Table 4). The highest content of crude protein was found in mixtures 3 (Lolium perenne), averaging 183.5 g•kg −1 which is in line with the opinion of other authors about the high nutritional value of these species [18][19][20][21][22]30,33]. The lowest average crude protein content occurred in mixture 1, with the highest share of Festuca arundinacea.…”

“…Festuca arundinacea is more resistant than Lolium perenne and Festulolium braunii to extreme climatic conditions (drought and high moisture) due to its deeper root system, but it is characterised by lower digestibility [18,25]. It can be assumed that the ideal solution would be to use a Festulolium hybrid that combines the resistance of Festuca arundinacea and the high fodder quality of Lolium perenne [18][19][20][21]. However, a study by Kitczak et al [30] indicate that this species fell out on organic soils in 2016 due to freezing or excess moisture in 2017.…”

“…Festulolium braunii has high yield potential. Good digestibility, favourable protein content, and soluble carbohydrates characterise the feed produced from it [18][19][20]. The distinguishing feature of the interspecies hybrid is good winter hardiness and resistance to periodic droughts [18,19,21,22].…”