Publication Date
1993
Description
In Italy, the lack of interest in producing seed of improved and adapted varieties of forage species, particularly of grasses, has caused a widespread utilisation of foreign varieties imported from northern Europe and North America. Most of these varieties are not adapted to a mediterranean climate and, hence, are less persistent and productive than the local varieties. Persistence and productivity of 17 grass (Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Dactylias glomerata, Festuca arundinacea) and 19 legume (Medlcago saliva, Trlfolium repens, T. pratense, Lotus cornicidatus, L. teaulus, L. peduncllatus) varieties and land races from Italy, northern Europe and New Zealand were compared during 1988-1991. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with 4 replicates. Herbage yield was assessed i.n spring (50% flowering} and thereafter when herbage was at"least 20-25 cm in height. The objective of the present work was to look at the performance of forage varieties and land races from Italy, northern Europe and New Zealand, a country characterised by a climate more similar to the Italian climate than the climate of northern Europe. Legume species were generally more productive than grasses. Adapted varieties (or land races} were superior to foreign improved varieties. Although varieties from New Zealand generally ranked before those from northern Europe, the differences were often not statistically significant.
Citation
Falcinelli, M; Veronesi, F; Russi, L; and Pollidori, P, "Persistence and Productivity of some Forage Varieties and Land races of Different Origin grown in central Italy" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session10/9
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Persistence and Productivity of some Forage Varieties and Land races of Different Origin grown in central Italy
In Italy, the lack of interest in producing seed of improved and adapted varieties of forage species, particularly of grasses, has caused a widespread utilisation of foreign varieties imported from northern Europe and North America. Most of these varieties are not adapted to a mediterranean climate and, hence, are less persistent and productive than the local varieties. Persistence and productivity of 17 grass (Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Dactylias glomerata, Festuca arundinacea) and 19 legume (Medlcago saliva, Trlfolium repens, T. pratense, Lotus cornicidatus, L. teaulus, L. peduncllatus) varieties and land races from Italy, northern Europe and New Zealand were compared during 1988-1991. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with 4 replicates. Herbage yield was assessed i.n spring (50% flowering} and thereafter when herbage was at"least 20-25 cm in height. The objective of the present work was to look at the performance of forage varieties and land races from Italy, northern Europe and New Zealand, a country characterised by a climate more similar to the Italian climate than the climate of northern Europe. Legume species were generally more productive than grasses. Adapted varieties (or land races} were superior to foreign improved varieties. Although varieties from New Zealand generally ranked before those from northern Europe, the differences were often not statistically significant.
