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CULTIVAR
Contents Vol 44(9)

Fraydo tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.)

K. F. M. Reed A D , C. K. Lee A B , M. Z. Z. Jahufer A C and M. W. Anderson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries, Primary Industries Research Victoria, Private Bag 105, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

B Present address: Henderson Seed Group Pty Ltd, Bulleen, Vic. 3105, Australia.

C Present address: Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: Kevin.Reed@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44(9) 955-957 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03196
Submitted: 30 September 2003  Accepted: 14 January 2004   Published: 22 October 2004

Abstract

Fraydo, a 10-parent synthetic cultivar based on selection from Melik tall fescue is a most productive, highly winter-active cultivar that exhibits little summer activity. Its summer dormancy is associated with persistence over long hot summers. It has an erect growth habit with a long stem and short spike length relative to other cultivars. Maturity, as reflected by date of head emergence, is similar to that for Demeter. Fraydo is well adapted to the environment of south-western Victoria where the original parental selections were made. Fraydo is especially productive in the 7–8 month growing season/550–700 mm annual rainfall districts. Evidence is emerging that it is highly palatable to sheep and well adapted to a wide range of environments in temperate Australia.


Acknowledgments

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff who assisted at various stages in the breeding, seed increase and pre-release evaluation of Fraydo included Dr Howard Eagles (Geneticist), Gavin Kearney (Biometrician), Malcolm Anderson, and several former members of the DPI plant breeding group at Hamilton: Dr Shoba Venkatanagappa (progeny evaluation), Jesuwary Arulthilikan (endophyte screening), Ruth Raleigh, Scott Woollard, Felicity Gawler, Jeff Rowe, Shane Arnold and Harry Armstrong. The Meat Research Corporation financially supported the National Tall Fescue Breeding Programme carried out by DPI Victoria and NSW Agriculture. Mr Don Gant kindly provided access to land and sheep via the cooperation of Mr Barry Matthews, manager of Arundale, Balmoral.


Seed released by: Seed, Grain and Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd.


Seed licenced to: Seedmark (Seed Technology and Marketing Pty Ltd), 78 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton, SA 5033, Australia.


References


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