ABSTRACT
Growth curves of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) varieties, in the irrigated central zone of Chile

Luis Soto K.1 y Horacio López T.2
 

The objective was to compare fescue and cocksfoot cv. Two introduction nurseries, stablished in 1971 at La Platina (lNIA, Santiago) Exp. Sta. were used. Fescue cv. were: K-31, S-170, Fawn, Manade, Ludion, Demeter and Ludine; cocksfoot cv. were: Apanui, S-345, Lucifer, Montpellier, Aries, Taurus and Currie. Data was collected in 1980-1982. Rate of growth (kg D.M./ha/day), botanical composition, protein, and in vitro D.M. digestibility were measured. Among fescues, Manade showed the most uniform growth rate through the year and the largest yield; Fawn showed the largest seasonal variations. In cocksfoot, seasonal variations were larger; Montpellier showed the least and S-345 the largest; Aries had the largest yield. In general, fescues had larger total yields, lower protein contents, and larger digestibilities. Also, the possible effect of temperature and of radiation on growth rate and forage quality is discussed.

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1 Estación Experimental La Platina (INIA). Actualmente: Apartado Aéreo 2926, Cartagena, Colombia.
2 Estación Experimental La Platina (INlA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.