New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Past and present improvement of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in Australia and New Zealand

S. LOLICATO

Victorian Department of Agriculture

Tatura Research Centre

Ferguson Rd, Tatura

Vic. 3616, Australia

W. RUMBALL

AgResearch

Grasslands Research Centre

Private Bag 11008

Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract  Cocksfoot is a pasture grass important in Australia, New Zealand, and worldwide. The species is made up of several subspecies which are classified according to chromosome number, area of origin, seasonal growth pattern, and morphological characteristics. Cocksfoot does not contain animal toxins, but is variably less digestible than ryegrass. There are few serious pests and diseases, but in some situations rust and grass grub may be a problem. The older cultivars of cocksfoot originated in northern Europe and were suited to the higher-rainfall, cooler southern parts of Australia, often where the soils had low water-holding capacities. Since the 1950s, in both Australia and New Zealand there has been greater interest in cultivars which incorporate a higher degree of winter growth, a characteristic of the Mediterranean accessions. These new cultivars e.g., Porto and Currie, have greater drought tolerance and a growth pattern better adapted to the Australian temperate climate. Current improvement programmes and priorities for future research in the temperate Australian states and New Zealand are outlined.

Keywords  cocksfoot; Dactylis glomerata; Australia; New Zealand; perennial grass

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1994, Vol. 37: 379-390

0028-8233/94/3703-0379 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1994

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (969K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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