Comparisons of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) accessions grown as turfs (lawns)

Abstract

Accessions of Victorian perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown as turfs were inferior to or no better than European and North American ryegrasses developed specifically for turf. This applied to all aspects of their growth, except those of germination (which was faster, especially at temperatures around 12¦C), thatch accumulation (which was less), and in their possession of an entophytic fungus, Acremonium loliae, which in the longer term could be associated with greater persistence. At the seedling stage, Victorian and turf ryegrasses produced similar dry weights, but the Victorian ryegrasses had fewer, larger leaves and tillers. Victorian ryegrass turf swards had lower tiller densities and standing dry weights, yet produced more clippings. The total production of Victorian ryegrass turfs was less than that of the turf ryegrasses. There were no differences in the seasonality of growth. In spring, flowering heads were more common in Victorian ryegrass turfs and the leaves of these turfs also shred more when mown. During the first year of turf growth, differential selection occurred in favour of plants that were prostrate, had shorter leaf sheaths, were later flowering, and that contained endophyte. The direction of selection confirmed the functional significance of observed differences between pasture and turf ryegrasses.