Yield and mineral concentration of HiMag compared to other tall fescue cultivars grown in the southern piedmont

HiMag is an experimental cultivar derived from Missouri 96 (Mo96) and Kentucky 31 (K31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) parentage for increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and reduced potassium (K)/ (Ca+Mg). Our objective was to determine productivity and mineral characteristics of endophyte-free (E-) HiMag in relation to standard tall fescue cultivars when grown in the Southern Piedmont Land Resource Area. In experiment 1, HiMag (E-) and K31 (E-) were grown at two levels of phosphorus (P), K, and lime additions to both severely eroded, and noneroded Cecil soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic family of Typic Hapludults). Herbage Ca and Mg were greater and K/(Ca+ Mg) and yield were less for HiMag than for K31. Phosphorus and K concentrations were not different. Herbage yields, P, Ca, and Mg concentrations were increased by P, K, and lime additions. In experiment 2, HiMag(E-), K31(E-), endophyte-infected K31(E+), Mo I(E+), Mo II (E+), and AU Triumph (E-) were planted either in a prepared seedbed or planted without tillage into the Cecil soil. HiMag yields were not different from Mo-I, Mo-II or K31(E±), but were less than