New domestic cultivars of perennial grasses used as livestock production

Part of the results of testing of new cultivars of perennial grasses is presented in this paper. New cultivar of English ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was tested, and the cultivars of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) and French ryegrass (Arrhenatherum elkatius L) were reacknowledged. Cultivars are selections of the institute of forage crops, Krusevac, and compared to standard foreign and domestic cultivars. Trial was carried out on four locations: Novi Sad, Krusevac, Zajecar and Zemun, in period 2005-2006. The following traits were monitored: clustering, resistance to flattening, enduring winter, crop density, and in the cutting period also the height of plants was determined. In four cuts the production of green and dry matter was established, and using standard laboratory methods main quality parameters were determined, content of crude cellulose, protein, fat, ashes and NFE. Results were calculated using variance analysis and testing of significance was performed using LSD test. After this test, cultivars were reacknowledged and cultivars introduced to the list of cultivars: Italian ryegrass K 13, red fescue K-14 and French ryegrass K-12, and new cultivar of English ryegrass K-11 acknowledged as the first domestic breeding of this species. Obtained results recommend new cultivars to be introduced into production in grass-leguminous mixtures and grasslands, or pure crops, to be used for cutting, or grazing, as well as for grass seed production where we lack in regard to production.