New varieties of Westerwolds ryegrass and persian clover recommended

From 2013 to 2015, Agroscope tested 33 varieties of Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. westerwoldicum Mansh.) and five varieties of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) as to their suitability for cultivation. Yield, vigour, persistence, resistance to leaf diseases, dry-matter content and competitive ability were evaluated. In the case of Westerwolds ryegrass, digestible organicmatter content was also evaluated. The following Westerwolds ryegrasses are newly recommended: ILVO 135825 stood out with very good performances in total yield and disease resistance, Bendix exhibited solid yields and the best digestibility of the test series, and Prodag impressed with very good vigour and high yields. The diploid variety Pulse proved to be high-yielding whilst having slightly lower digestibility. The new variety Logics, which replaces Bravis 1, had the best competitive ability of the trial as well as very good vigour. Eight new varieties with very good performances had to be classified as replacement varieties, due to limitation of the number of recommended varieties. The previously recommended varieties Imperio, Peleton, Primora and Melmondo were deleted from the List owing to unsatisfactory performances. Two varieties of Persian clover are newly recommended: Gorby, with top rankings in vigour, juvenile development, competitive ability, persistence and resistance to sooty blotch, as well as Rusty, which exhibited the best yield performance.