Optimal Cultivation System of Festulolium (×Festulolium Braunii)(cv.Tohokulgou) with TDN Yield and Persistency in Northeastern Japan

Abstract

Field experiment has been conducted to examine TDN (total digestible nutrient) yield, chemical composition, and optimal cultivation system of 'Tohoku 1 gou', a new cultivar of festulolium (×Festulolium Braunii). Experiments were conducted in Morioka (northeastern Japan) during the growing seasons of 2007 through 2009. TDN content of the first crop silage decreased by 0.6 points/d with advancing growth ; this rate is similar to that of orchardgrass. Annual TDN yield differed by the cutting date of the first crop. The best cutting dates for first, second, and third crops were May 28 (first heading stage), August 1, and October 2, respectively. Under this optimal cultivation system, crude protein contents were from 11.3 to 14.7% of dry matter (DM) across the first, second and third crops. Festulolium digestibility exceeded that of orchardgrass. Averages of annual TDN yields for 3 years were more than 10t/ha ; TDN contents of the first and third crops were over 60%DM. Thus, 'Tohoku 1 gou' is suitable for production of high-nutritious herbage in northeastern Japan.