2020 Volume 2020 Issue 4 Pages 17-40
‘Esajiman’, a new cultivar of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), was developed by Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, NARO, in collaboration with Snow Brand Seed Co., Ltd. ‘Esajiman’ was developed by between- and within-family selection using 9 breeding families and 22 individuals. The heading date of ‘Esajiman’ was 2 June and was a medium late maturity as well as ‘Harujiman.’ The total dry matter yield across three years in regional performance testing in ten locations averaged 4% higher than that of ‘Harujiman’. The dry matter yield of ‘Esajiman’ in mixed sowing with forage legumes was almost the same as that of ‘Harujiman’ and yields under frequent cutting and under dual-purpose cutting were slightly higher than those of ‘Harujiman’. The seed yield of ‘Esajiman’ was the same as that of ‘Harujiman’ in Oregon, USA, which is commercial seed production place, but less than that of ‘Harujiman’ in Sapporo. The water-soluble carbohydrate content was 3 percentage points higher than that of ‘Harujiman’ across three years and four locations. Its acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents were lower than those of ‘Harujiman’. The estimated total digestible nutrient content of ‘Esajiman’ was 2 percentage points higher than that of ‘Harujiman’, and its total digestible nutrient yield was 9% higher. The value of fermentation quality of ‘Esajiman’silage, measured as the V-score, was higher than that of ‘Harujiman’ silage. Its winter hardiness was slightly better than that of ‘Harujiman’. ‘Esajiman’was more resistant to leaf streak caused by Cercosporidium graminis than ‘Harujiman’. Herbage intake of ‘Esajiman’ by grazing cattle was higher than that of ‘Harujiman’.
