Online Publications

PR-474

2002 Tall Fescue Report

R.F. Spitaleri, J.C. Henning, T.D. Phillips, G.D. Lacefield, and D.C. Ditsch

Introduction

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a productive, well-adapted, persistent, soil-conserving, cool-season grass that is grown on approximately 5.5 million acres in Kentucky. This grass, used for both hay and pasture, is the forage base of most of Kentucky's livestock enterprises, particularly beef cattle.

Much of the tall fescue in Kentucky is infected with an internal fungus (endophyte) that results in decreased weight gains in growing ruminants and lower pregnancy rates in breeding stock, especially in hot weather. Varieties are now available that are free of this fungal endophyte or infected with an endophyte that is apparently non-toxic.

This report provides current yield data on tall fescue varieties and other selected species in trials in Kentucky as well as guidelines for selecting tall fescue varieties.

Important Considerations in Selecting a Tall Fescue Variety

Local adaptation and seasonal yield. The variety should be adapted to Kentucky as indicated by good performance across years and locations in replicated yield trials such as those presented in this publication. Choose high-yielding varieties, but choose varieties that are productive during the desired season of use.

Tall fescues are often classified as either "Mediterranean" or "European" types according to the area from which the parental material for the variety came. In general, the Mediterranean types (Cajun and Fawn, for example) are more productive in the fall and winter than the European types such as Kentucky 31. Although they mature earlier in the spring, the Mediterranean types become very dormant and nonproductive during the summer in Kentucky and are more susceptible than European varieties to some leaf diseases such as Helminthsporium and Rhizoctonia. Therefore, Mediterranean varieties are less preferred for use in Kentucky than European types. Because Mediterranean varieties mature earlier in the spring, first-cutting yields are generally higher for these varieties when the two types are harvested at the same time. However, the European types produce more in the summer, allowing for extended grazing.

Endophyte level. Make sure the seed has been tested for endophyte content. Seed with infection levels of less than 5% is regarded as being endophyte free. This information will be prominently displayed on a green tag attached to the seed bag. If no tag is present, assume the seed is infected with the endophyte. Several varieties, both with and without the endophyte, are adapted for use in Kentucky. For the new "friendly endophyte" tall fescues, the seed tag should specify the infection level. Also, seed of these varieties should be handled carefully to preserve this infection, which means keeping seed cool and planting as soon as possible.

Seed quality. Buy high-quality seed that is high in germination and purity and free from weed seed. Buy certified seed or proprietary varieties of seed of an improved variety. An improved variety is one that has performed well in independent trials. Other information on the label will include the test date, which must be within the previous nine months, the level of germination, and other crop and weed seed. Order seed well in advance of planting time to assure that it will be available when needed.

Description of the Tests

Data from three studies are reported. Tall fescue varieties were sown at Princeton (2000), Lexington (2001), and Quicksand (2001). The soils at Princeton (Crider), Lexington (Maury), and Quicksand (Pope) were well-drained silt loams. All are well suited for tall fescue production.

Seedings were made at the rate of 20 lb/A into a prepared seedbed with a disk drill. Plots were 5 x 15 feet in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nitrogen was topdressed at 60 lb/A of actual N in March and 60 lb/A of actual N after the first cutting and again in late summer. The tests were harvested using a sickle-type forage plot harvester to simulate a spring cut hay/summer grazing/fall stockpile management system. The first cutting was harvested at each location when all tall fescue varieties had reached at least the boot stage. Fresh weight samples were taken at each harvest to calculate dry matter production. Management practices for these tests regarding establishment, fertility, weed control, and harvest timing were in accordance with University of Kentucky recommendations.

Results and Discussion

Weather data for 2002 for Lexington, Quicksand, and Princeton are presented in Table 1. After a wet spring, Kentucky experienced the fourth driest and hottest summer on record. This adversely affected the number of harvests and total seasonal yield.

Ratings for maturity and dry matter yields (tons/acre) are reported in Tables 2 through 4. Yields are given by cutting date and as total annual production. Varieties are listed by total yield in descending order. Experimental varieties are listed separately at the bottom of the tables.

Statistical analyses were performed on all data to determine if the apparent differences are truly due to varietal differences or just to chance. In the tables, varieties that are not significantly different from the top variety in the column for that characteristic are marked with one asterisk (*). To determine if two varieties are truly different, compare the difference between them to the LSD (Least Significant Difference) at the bottom of the column. If the difference is equal to or greater than the LSD, the varieties are truly different when grown under the conditions at the given locations. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) is a measure of the variability of the data and is included for each column of means. Low variability is desirable, and increased variability within a study results in higher CVs and larger LSDs.

Table 5 summarizes information about distributors, endophyte infection, and yield performance across locations for all varieties currently included in tests discussed in this report. Varieties are listed in alphabetical order by species, with the experimental varieties at the bottom. Remember that experimental varieties are not available for farm use, while commercial varieties can be purchased from agricultural distributors. In Table 5, a shaded area indicates that the variety was not in that particular test (labeled at the top of the column), while a clear block means that the variety was in the test. A single asterisk (*) means that the variety was not significantly different from the top variety. It is best to choose a variety that has performed well over several years and locations. Remember to consider the relative spring maturity and the distribution of yield across the growing season when evaluating productivity of tall fescue varieties (Tables 2 through 4).

Summary

Selecting a good variety of tall fescue is an important first step in establishing a productive stand of grass. Proper management, beginning with seedbed preparation and continuing throughout the life of the stand, is necessary for even the highest-yielding variety to produce to its genetic potential.

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