Evaluation of Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Festuca rubra L.) Populations Grown under Aegean Region Conditions

Year 2014, Volume: 24 Issue: 2, 32 - 40, 20.12.2014

Hüseyin Özpınar C. Olcayto Sabancı , A. Alptekin Acar Serhat Aksu Firdevs Niksarlı İnal

Abstract

A total of 43 materials of  tall
fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.)
were examined at experimental fields of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute
(AARI) in the years of 2002 and 2004
in order to determine adaptation of species, populations
and  high yielding cultivars adapting to
Aegean region. Populations were sown in multipods in 2001 and transferred to
field with 1x1 m spacing in the spring of 2002. Characteristics observed were
tillering, spring growth rate, time of 50 % inflorescence, abundance of
inflorence, vegetative growth habit at inflorence, plant height, growth rate
after cutting, dry matter yield and seed yield. Significant differences were
observed between populations in terms of characters investigated. Dry matter
yield was higher in tall fescue. There were significant differences between the
populations in terms of spring growth. Tall fescue populations had higher
spring growth rates. Flowering time of 50 % inflorescence of species and
populations varied from early to late. In general, populations of red fescue had
early 50% inflorescence time and also higher potential for abundance of
inflorence. Significant differences were also found between populations in
terms of their growth rate after cutting. Tall fescue populations showed higher
growth potential. It was found that tall fescue and red fescue could be used
with various purposes at Aegean Region.

Keywords

Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., red fescue, Festuca rubra L., evaluation

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