Summer dormancy increases persistence of perennial grasses in a wheatbelt environment.

Persistence and production of summer dormant cultivars, Kasbah cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and Fraydo tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was compared to that of Currie cocksfoot and Demeter tall fescue, both of which have higher levels of summer activity, at Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. Demeter tall fescue contributed the most (86% by dry weight) to total sward production in spring of the establishment year surpassing Currie cocksfoot (40%), and the summer dormant varieties, Fraydo tall fescue (15%) and Kasbah cocksfoot (7%). However, plant survival of Demeter tall fescue beyond the first summer (4 plants/m2) was low compared with Fraydo tall fescue (19), Currie cocksfoot (21), and Kasbah cocksfoot (33). The Demeter tall fescue sward had the lowest production (1250 kg/ha) in the subsequent winter compared with all other swards (average 2300 kg/ha). Both summer dormant cultivars were more persistent than their more summer active counterparts.