‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass (Bromus catharticusVahl)

Abstract

‘Grasslands Matua’ prame grass (Bromus catharticus Yahl) was bred by Grasslands Division, DSIR, to provide New Zealand farmers with a certified variety that was reliable in type and of agronomic merit. It is intended for use on high-fertility dairy farms. More than 400 populations, received from overseas and collected throughout New Zealand, were studied during the programme. They were measured as spaced plants at Palmerston North and the Grasslands Division regional stations, and selections were made for productivity, erectness, tillering, freedom from disease, chemical composition, and other characters. The 10 most promising populations were tested in 2 sward trials against commercial varieties. The two best populations were chosen as a base for Matua. The resistance of Matua prairie grass to head mut has broken down recently. but the disease is very simply and cheaply eliminated from contaminated seed by fungicides.