Comparison of seasonal growth pattern, frost tolerance, and cutting response ofSetaria sphacelata sensu latovarieties with cocksfoot and ryegrass

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Abstract
Four CPI setaria lines, ‘Grasslands Apanui’ cocksfoot, and ‘Grasslands Ariki’ ryegrass were grown in rows at mild and heavy frost sites at Kaikohe, New Zealand (35° 25′S). At each site four cutting treatments were applied which varied the frequency and height of cutting. Leaf yield was used as the basis of comparison between treatments. In the first season all setaria lines outyielded cocksfoot and ryegrass at both sites, CPI 32848 and 32883 outyielding CPI 32930 and 33453. Cutting treatment interacted with both line and site, the main effect being the elimination of all setarias with cutting to 2.5 cm, whereas cocksfoot and ryegrass survived this cutting height. All setaria lines survived a grass minimum temperature of — 7°C at the heavy frost site, CPI 32848 and 32883 being severely frosted, CPI 33453 moderately, and CPI 32930 slightly frosted. At the mild frost site frost damage was less severe, and this difference between sites carried over into the second year, when setaria yield at the mild frost site was twice that of the heavy frost site. At the mild frost site CPI 32930 outyielded cocksfoot and ryegrass, but for all other comparisons setaria lines were lower yielding. The setaria lines yielded more with a 42-day cutting interval, contrasting with greater yield of ryegrass with a 28-day mtting interval. It is suggested that frost-tolerant lines of setaria should be further tested before setaria can be recommended as an alternative grass to Paspalum dilatatum or kikuyu for summer production in Northland, New Zealand.

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