NEW WINTER GRASS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21826, 4 July 1936, Page 22

NEW WINTER GRASS

PHALARIS TUBEROSA ADOPTION IN NEW ZEALAND Phalaris tuberosa, a native of the Mediterranean region, is a perennial canary grass which has recently come very much to the fore in many parts of Australia owing to its winter growing qualities. It is now being grown in Hawke’s Bay. Originally it was known as Toowoomba grass, being named after the district in which it was first found to be of value. Later it was called Phalaris comutata. It was then identified as Phalaris bulbpsa. and later, after reference to Continental authorities, was finally named Phalaris tuberosa. Its chief characteristics appear to be: 1. Its permanence.—lt is rather slow in its early growth, hence the importance of not sowing any other grasses in combination with it, as it will be smothered. Certified white clover, red clover or subterranean clover may be sown in conjunction with benefit, as it is a great nitrogen feeder. When once established it will stand very hard grazing and few grasses will grow in competition with it. Even in districts where paspalum is grown extensively it is claimed that Phalaris tuberosa will hold its own. 2. Its drought resisting qualities.— Owing to its deep root development (it will root six feet down), it will withstand the severest of droughts, being second only to lucerne in this respect, .The peculiar formation of the crown is formed by basal internodes, from which it gets the name tuberosa. Into these tubes or nodes after the foliage reaches maturity the mineral content of the foliage recedes and it is stored up until such time when conditions are favourable. It then makes very radid growth. 3. Its growth in early spring and late autumn, and its ability to withstand frosts in winter. 4. Its succulence and palatability in all stages of growth and high food value content. Points to Observe There are several factors which have tended to restrict the use of Phalaris tuberosa,-the main ones of which are the short period since its introduction; the poor capacity for spreading naturally, the confusion between Phalaris tuberosa and Phalaris minor, which is a very inferior grass and being only an annual no permanent pasture was established, and it was condemned; the lack of scientific investigation. which has shown that it cannot establish in competition, in its seeding stage, with other grasses. There are quite a number of cases in New Zealand where it has been tried and condemned for this reason. Areas since sown in the proper manner have established well. Most of the investigations and experiments have been carried out by the Waite Agricultural Research Institute of South Australia. In Australia it has been found that it does remarkably well bn areas of 17 inches to 30 inches rainfall or more, and also at high altitudes up to 4000 feet. Grazing trials- have been conducted in several states, results of which have shown that in the case of cattle, where it required four acres to one beast on rye, cocksfoot, and clover pasture, orf Phalaris one beast was fattened an acre. In the case of sheep the increase in carrying capacity is claimed to have not only enormously increased, but the body weight was greatly increased as well as the amount of wool a sheep, this being due to the high phosphate calcium and protein content of the foliage. Being a grass that produces . large quantities of high quality fodder, it is only reasonable that the better the soil the better the result obtained, also it is most responsive to top dressing. The continued heavy grazing of the pasture often results in consolidation of the soil, and the plants may become root bound. This may be rectified by renovating with a stiff tyned cultivator, using it both ways, preferably in efcrly spring. This is most important. 'North Island Experience It is advisable not to graze too hard in the early stages of growth, but when well established the grass should not be Allowed to grow too rank before graz-

Ing, preferably not more than six inches high. While as yet experiments are only just being carried out in New Zealand one area in the North Island has been established for some years and the owner of this is very enthusiastic, pus area is on very heavy, rich dairying country and carries, it is stated, to three cows an acre at peak periods, which is in early spring and late autumn. In mid-summer the growth is not much above that of other pastures, ■this J ai p^ er has several herds of cows and finds that over the peak periods thenulk production is in excess of his nerds on other pastures. investigations have shown that the grass grows well as an associate grass in |,ftm Mnitinn with

lucerne lor grazing purpoN species requiring the samel climatic conditions, and |Wjj these species together appefl superior to phalaris «H this purpose. Under New Z«M diticna 81b of GovernmeOjn Phaiaris tuberosa seed, and 1 certified white clover, sow* < prepared seed bed in the Wj January, February and MW* to give the best results. W also be sown in the spring. £ The best method of sowing! found to mix the seed with ure or lime, other meWl rather uneven in dbtrltaMj most important that q|| certified seed be sown, owfiM seed similarity df the tumma