THE EVALUATION OF PERENNIAL GRASS CULTIVARS IN LATVIA CONDITION.

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]