Varietal tests of hybrid ryeggrass and meadow foxtail (2007-2009)

From 2007 through 2009 the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART and Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW research stations tested in total 29 varieties of hybrid ryegrass and 8 varieties of meadow foxtail in comparative variety trials at five locations. All varieties were grown in pure stands and in mixture with clover. The parameters assessed were forage yield, juvenile development, vigour, competitive ability, persistence, resistance to diseases and digestibility of organic matter, as well as adaptation to higher altitudes for meadow foxtail. Four new breeds of hybrid ryegrass attained extraordinary results in comparison to the standard: Palmata (LH 9925), Daboya (LH 9865), Ocadia (LH 0105) and LH 9905. For the moment, only the three former will be added to the “List of recommended Varieties of Forage Plants”, because LH 9905 is not eligible for trade in Switzerland yet. The formerly recommended variety Delicial will be crossed off the list. Concerning meadow foxtail, there was no change as none of the new varieties tested reached the index-value required for recommendation. The formerly recommended variety Vulpera will be removed from the list.