Irrigated Ariki ryegrass produced 13,7 and 9,2 m t/ha green dry matter during the first and second growing seasons respectively. It was most productive in spring, because the growth rate decreased throughout the growing season. This necessitated increasingly long periods of absence of 23, 39, 39 and 48 days under grazing conditions, to maximize dry matter production. During the same growing periods growth rates were 94, 73, 56 and 43 kg DM/ha/day respectively. A highly significant, negative correlation was obtained between dry matter production and mean minimum temperature. The poorer late season production is probably associated with local temperature regime characteristics. More of this type of research under better controlled conditions is required.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.