Perennial ryegrass: 62 cultivars put to the test

From 2009 through 2011, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART and Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW tested 62 cultivars of perennial ryegrass, including 45 new cultivars. Yield, vigour, juvenile development, competitive ability, persistence, winter hardiness, resistance to leaf diseases and bacterial wilt, digestible organic matter content and suitability for higher altitudes were investigated. Of the early-to-mid-early varieties, «Algira», «Arcturus» and «Salmo» achieved results allowing for admission to the «List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Plants». Due to unfinished registration processes, however, the recommendation and the trade of these three cultivars is not yet possible. The previously recommended cultivars «Arvella», «Lipresso» and «Cavia» will be deleted from the list owing to their results. «Soraya», «Mercedes», «Trivos» and «Dexter 1» are the new mid-late-tolate varieties on the list. In addition, the new cultivars «Allodia» and «Vidalia» achieved results sufficient for a recommendation. Owing to pending registration processes, however, the recommendation and the trade of these cultivars is for the time being not possible. The formerly listed cultivar «Premium» no longer meets the requirements for recommendation.