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The aim of this study was to compare local and commonly available cultivars of lucerne in Latvian market for forage and seed production in the conditions of Latvia. The trials were conducted at the Institute of Agriculture in Skriveri (56°37 N and 25°07 E), the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU), in the time period of 2014-2015. The results showed that there were no wintering problems for any lucerne cultivars included in our trials during favourable winter without lasting black frosts and rapid temperature fluctuations. If winter conditions were favourable, significantly higher dry matter yields (DMY) in the 1st year of use were provided by faster-growing cultivars: 'Gea' (10.98 t ha-1) and 'Eugenia' (11.13 t ha-1) in total in four cuts; as well as 'Malvina' (10.77 t ha-1), 'Birute' (10.50 t ha-1) and 'SK Rasa' (10.11 t ha-1) in total in three cuts. However, during unfavorable wintering conditions in the winter of 2014, significant damages for cultivars with the southern origin were observed. During two years higher and hence more stable dry matter yields on average were provided by the varieties: 'Malvina', 'Birute' and 'SK Rasa'. Lucerne cultivars of the southern origin had better regrowth intensity, they could provide additional mowing in the growing season, but in unfavourable conditions their wintering may be risky, especially in the north-east of Latvia. Under favorable climatic conditions lucerne varieties with self-pollinating properties provide high seed yields, i.e., more than 600 kg ha-1. Better results in our trials in terms of seed production were achieved by the varieties: 'Jogeva 118'; 'SK Rasa' and 'Skriveru'. [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 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]