Testing of 29 new Italian ryegrass breeds

From 2007 through 2009 the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART und Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW research stations tested in total 39 varieties of Italian ryegrass, including 29 new breeds, in comparative variety trials at five locations. The evaluation of the varieties was based on systematic observations of yield, vigour, juvenile development, competitive ability, winter hardiness, resistance to leaf diseases and bacterial wilt and of digestible organic matter. Four new breeds attained results allowing for registration on the “List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Plants”: Morunga, LI 0035, Elvis and LI 0455, of which only the three former can be recommended. LI 0455 cannot be added to the list for the time being because it is not eligible for trade in Switzerland yet. The formerly recommended variety Abercomo did not achieve results allowing for future recommendation and will be omitted from the list.