A comparison of methods of establishing perennial and Italian ryegrasses

An experiment extending over a 2½‐year period from June 1976 to October 1978 assessed the effect on herbage yield of method of establishment, species and level of N application. Perennial ryegrass cv. Gremie and Italian ryegrass cv. RvP were established by broadcasting or drilling into cultivated ground or by direct‐drilling, using a Howard Rotaseeder, into paraquat‐sprayed but uncultivated ground. These treatments were combined with annual rates of N application of 0, 120, 240 or 360 kg ha‐1. Over the experiment drilling into cultivated ground gave the highest yield—3·6 and 4·8% higher than the broadcast and direct‐drilled treatments, respectively. Italian ryegrass consistently outyielded perennial ryegrass, with an overall mean dry matter yield advantage of 23·7%. There was no significant interaction between sowing method and species; direct‐drilled Italian ryegrass produced a mean yield 17·3% higher than that of drilled perennial ryegrass.