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Grasses with high soluble sugars have the potential to improve animal performance and reduce environmental damage caused by ruminants.
AgResearch was contracted by Germinal Seeds NZ between 2000 and 2006 to conduct two trials, each over 3 years, which compared the levels of dry matter (DM) production and sugars (WSC = water soluble carbohydrates) in 10 ryegrass cultivars provided by Germinal and two NZ ryegrass standards, Bronsyn and Impact. Measurements were made throughout the year for DM production at both Gore and Palmerston North, and for WSC at two times in each year, Spring (September/October) and Autumn (May/June).
In the first trial AberDart high sugar grass (HSG) established poorly at Gore, and was 18% behind Impact in Year 1. However AberDart outyielded Bronsyn and Impact by 29% and 19% respectively in Year 2, and by 18% and 12% in Year 3. The three cultivars had similar yields at Palmerston North. In the second trial, AberAvon and AberMagic HSGs had similar DM production at Gore to the NZ standards while at Palmerston North these HSGs outyielded Impact by 17% but not Bronsyn.
Data for WSC content showed some inconsistency between harvests and sites but overall, AberAvon and AberMagic showed 7% higher WSC levels than Impact and Bronsyn. AberAvon and AberMagic showed 13% higher WSC levels than Impact and Bronsyn at Palmerston North (190 vs 170 g/kg), except for autumn 2006 when there were no differences between cultivars. At Gore, AberAvon and AberMagic had similar WSC levels to Bronsyn but higher than Impact.
On the one occasion when substantial crown rust was observed on the trial (February 2005 at Palmerston North), AberMagic was significantly less affected than other cultivars.
Taken together the results show that these latest HSG cultivars grow well in New Zealand and, to a varying degree, the high WSC phenotype is expressed. Ryegrass with enhanced WSC levels is expected to offer dual benefits, enhancing production and reducing nitrogen losses.
Both AgResearch and Germinal view HSGs as a key forage tool for achieving increased production for dairy and meat and wool farmers, and reduced environmental impact in the years ahead.
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
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