Swiss List 2001-2002 of recommended varieties of forage plants, Variation factors of the nutritive value of silage maize

In the years 1997 to 1999 we tested 45 varieties of Lolium multiflorum var. Italicum and 24 varieties of Lolium x hybridum at five different experimental sites. All varieties were grown in pure stands and in mixture with red clover. The parameters assessed were forage yield, juvenile growth, competing ability, resistance to diseases, digestibility and persistence.<br>Based on the achieved results the following varieties are newly put on the Swiss List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Plants: Lolium multiflorum var. Italicum: Alces, Barlizzi, Gemini, Oryx, Rangifer and Zevu Lolium x hybridum: Barsilo, Delicial, Ibex, Rusa, Tapirus and Tirna.