Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Festulolium braunii(Festuca pratensis Huds. $\times$ Loliurn mulrijZorum Lam.)as forge sources. The experiment was arranged in a split plot design with four replications from Feb. 1995. to Jan. 1996 at Hohenheim university. Main plots consisted of three forage species, Festulolirtrn braunii(Paulita), Lolium multiJomm(Lemtla), and Secale cereale(Halo) and subplots consisted of three maturity, boot, heading, and anthesis. The growth characteristics, DM yields, nutritive value, N and energy balance were observed. The heading date of Festulolium braunii was about two days earlier than that of Loliunz mrtltiflorum, farthermore Fesrulolium braunii retained higher leaf weight ratio(LWR) than other species. Festulolium brarrnii failed to show any significant differences in grass length, number of tillers, LAI, CGR, and DM accumulation when harvested at the same stage of maturity as compare with Loliurn mulriiflorutn or Setale cerede, bur the content of CP, OMD, and mineral elements and NEL value of Festulolium braunii compare to othes were slightly increased(P<0.05), while the content of NDF, ADF, and lignin decreased(P<0.05). The yield of CP was greater for Festulolium braunii than for Lolium multfimm and yields of DOM and NEL per unit area(ha) for Festulolium braunii were greater than for other species(P<0.05). The equivalent or higher DM production and nutritive value are obtained when Festulolium braunii are cut during the period from boot to anthesis stages, therefor DM intake, preference, and N and energy balance were also higher for Festulolirtm braunii compare to for other species. It could be suggested that Lolium multrfirum would be a more suitable substitute to Festuloliron braunii without decreasing forage production and quality, but the substitutive effect of Secale cereale would be difficult because of the maor differences in growth type and period compare to Fesrulolium braunii. From above the results of this experiment it appears that Festulolium braunii have a potential to provide forage sources. but funher research is needed to ascertain their potential under the climate of Korea.
