Growth of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii) and tall fescue × perennial ryegrass (Festuca arundinacea×Lolium perenne) on the Appalachian Plateau of southern West Virginia, USA

The productivity and persistence of prairie grass ( Bromus willdenowii Kunth) cv. Grasslands Matua were compared with a similarly managed endophyte-free tall fescue × perennial ryegrass hybrid ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb. × Lolium perenne L.) cv. Johnstone. A field study was conducted on the Appalachian Plateau of southern West Virginia, USA (81°W, longitude; 38°N, latitude; 850m above sea level) for three consecutive years. Nitrogen totalling 0, 168, and 336 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ was applied to stands managed as hay. Annual herbage yields were similar for both species in year 1 (1989), but by year 3 (1991) Matua sown-grass yield was about 35% of first-year yields. Total herbage yield for Matua plots in the third year was similar to first-year yields owing to encroachment by non-seeded grasses and white clover ( Trifolium repens L.). Matua was susceptible to powdery mildew [ Blumeria graminis (DC) E. O. Speer] in this environment, and was similar in productivity (first year only) and nutritive quality to tall fescue × perennial ryegrass hybrid. Matua use may be limited to areas where low-temperature stress and resultant winter damage is unlikely to occur.