Testing of new cultivars of perennial grasses in year of sowing

Testing of new cultivars of perennial grasses cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Huds.) was carried out on experimental field of the Institute for Animal Husbandry in year 2005. Trial was set according to random block system, on 10m2, soil type carbonate chernozem. Climatic conditions in year of sowing were at the level of average values for several years for daily temperature, 12,40C compared to 12,10C, and for precipitation difference was even greater 831,6mm compared to average calculated for several years of 645,2mm. Main morphological and phenological traits of plants were investigated, plant growth, height at 1st cut, plant regeneration after 10 days, as well as production of green mass and dry matter. All five cocksfoot cultivars had considerably higher yields per cuts, total (2,12-2,69 t ha-1). Two cultivars of meadow fescue showed no significant difference in yield of dry matter (1,84-2,03 t ha-1), whereas cultivars of tall fescue differed highly significantly in this regard (1,84-1,62 t ha-1). Also, main parameters of plant quality, organic matter, content of crude protein, crude fibre and crude fat in the 2nd cut were determined. Investigated cultivars of cocksfoot and tall fescue differed significantly, whereas cultivars of meadow fescue were very similar. Obtained results were processed using variation statistical methods and mean values were tested using LSD test.