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In order to evaluate the species and breeds of perennial grasses from the neighbouring countries and to determine more persistent and productive cultivars suitable for growing in Latvia conditions 29 cultivars from 4 countries (LT, LV, EE, SE): 6 cultivars of Lolium perenne (Lp), 3 Festulolium (FxL), 7 Phleum pratense (Pp), 7 Festuca pratensis (Fp), and 6 Dactylis glomerata (Dg) were studied by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Such characteristics as forage dry matter yield (DMY), winter hardiness, regrowth intensity of all cultivars were measured during the 5 years of use and fodder quality ofLp, FxL and Fp cultivars was determined in the 1st and 2nd cut. The results indicated that Pp, Fp and Dg cultivars were characterized by long and more stable persistence in sward in Latvia conditions. In the 5th year of use Lp cultivars disappeared greatly from the sward after black frost. Higher and more stable yields over the 5 years of use accounted for Pp cultivars; the best ones: 'Switch' (SE), 'Varis' (LV), 'Teicis' (LV) provided more than 7 t ha-1 DMY on average. During the 4 year period FxL cultivars provided good average DMY with high forage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the species and breeds of perennial grasses from the neighbouring countries and to determine more persistent and productive cultivars suitable for growing in Latvia conditions 29 cultivars from 4 countries (LT, LV, EE, SE): 6 cultivars of Lolium perenne (Lp), 3 Festulolium (FxL), 7 Phleum pratense (Pp), 7 Festuca pratensis (Fp), and 6 Dactylis glomerata (Dg) were studied by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Such characteristics as forage dry matter yield (DMY), winter hardiness, regrowth intensity of all cultivars were measured during the 5 years of use and fodder quality of Lp, FxL and Fp cultivars was determined in the 1st and 2nd cut. The results indicated that Pp, Fp and Dg cultivars were characterized by long and more stable persistence in sward in Latvia conditions. In the 5th year of use Lp cultivars disappeared greatly from the sward after black frost. Higher and more stable yields over the 5 years of use accounted for Pp cultivars; the best ones: 'Switch' (SE), 'Varis' (LV), 'Teicis' (LV) provided more than 7 t ha-1 DMY on average. During the 4 year period FxL cultivars provided good average DMY with high forage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in energy consumption and the security of global energy market make renewable energy a topical issue, for example, the use of biomass for bioenergy, which influences directly the generation of wood ash and digestate - residues of biogas production. These products have high value of plant nutrients, therefore it is important to study their effectiveness. Reed canary grass (RCG) and festulolium fertilisation trials were arranged in 2012. In all fertiliser treatments (wood ash, digestate once per season; digestate twice per season and mineral fertilisers) the same amount of main plant nutrients (N, P, K) was provided; and the missing quantities of elements in ash and digestate were compensated by mineral fertilisers. The dry matter yield (DMY) and chemical composition of biomass in two cutting regimes (one-cut and two-cut harvest system) were assessed. All fertilisers provided a significant increase of DMY; however, better results for both species were ensured by the usage of mineral fertilisers and wood ash. Lower ash content (4.0-5.4 %) and hence more appropriate raw material for combustion can be obtained by mowing RCG once per season late in the autumn. The chemical composition of grass biomass was mostly influenced by the cutting regime and fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]