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A novel grass hybrid to reduce flood generation in temperate regions

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Published
  • Christopher Kit J.A. MacLeod
  • Mike W. Humphreys
  • W. Richard Whalley
  • Lesley Turner
  • Andrew Binley
  • Chris W. Watts
  • Leif Skøt
  • Adrian Joynes
  • Sarah Hawkins
  • Ian P. King
  • Sally O'Donovan
  • Phil M. Haygarth
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Article number1683
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>20/05/2013
<mark>Journal</mark>Scientific Reports
Volume3
Number of pages7
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

We report on the evaluation of a novel grass hybrid that provides efficient forage production and could help mitigate flooding. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is the grass species of choice for most farmers, but lacks resilience against extremes of climate. We hybridised L. perenne onto a closely related and more stress-resistant grass species, meadow fescue Festuca pratensis. We demonstrate that the L. perenne × F. pratensis cultivar can reduce runoff during the events by 51% compared to a leading UK nationally recommended L. perenne cultivar and by 43% compared to F. pratensis over a two year field experiment. We present evidence that the reduced runoff from this Festulolium cultivar was due to intense initial root growth followed by rapid senescence, especially at depth. Hybrid grasses of this type show potential for reducing the likelihood of flooding, whilst providing food production under conditions of changing climate.