Studies with a range of grass cultivars in small plots at Biloela, Central Queensland

Abstract

Over a period of 5 years Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense cv. Bambatsi and cv. Burnett yielded well in midsummer each year but made little growth over winter, though they remained green. Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Molopo had the best winter growth and highest quality standover feed in one experiment. In old stands, however, its frost tolerance was poor. It is suggested that this may have been due to low mineralization of soil nitrogen. In all but the establishment season the buffel grasses gave higher dry-matter yields than the P. maximum cultivars, Petrie and Gatton. Quality of the buffels in terms of both nitrogen and phosphorus was, however, poorer. Chloris gayana cv. Callide and Petrie and Gatton panics were much better utilized than C. gayana cv. Pioneer, while utilization of the buffel cultivars Molopo and Biloela was intermediate. P. coloratum cv. Bambatsi and cv. Burnett were unaffected by partial flooding. This flooding severely affected most of the buffel grasses and to a lesser extent Petrie and Gatton panics. Bambatsi and Burnett panics and Digitaria smutsii were slow to establish.