Comparative Evaluation of Rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus) Lines for Forage Yield and Quality under Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Hasan Beytullah Donmez

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i4.174554

Authors

Hasan Beytullah Donmez Faculty of Agriculture, Cukurova University, Balcali Campus, Saricam, Adana 013 30, Türkiye

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i4.174554

Keywords:

Agronomic performance, Genetic variation, Nutritive value, Cool-season grass

Abstract

Developing high-yielding and quality forage crops adapted to mediterranean conditions is essential to meet the increasing feed demand in the region. This research was conducted to determine the yield and quality of seven rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.) breeding lines developed by selection breeding from 2020 to 2022 under mediterranean climatic conditions in Adana, Turkiye. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Significant effects of year, line and year × line interactions were observed for most traits (P<0.05). Plant height increased from 76.1 cm (establishment year) to 111.4 cm (second year), while tiller number rose from 8.0 to 19.3 per plant. Line 17 exhibited the highest fresh forage yield (19.9 t/ha) and dry matter yield (6.8 t/ha) in the second year, significantly outperforming other lines. Forage quality analysis revealed that Lines 13 and 14 showed superior nutritional value, with crude protein contents of 13.68% and 13.92%, respectively, and lower fiber fractions. Acid detergent fiber ranged from 41.99% (Line 13) to 45.08% (Line 17), while relative feed value varied between 62.3 and 69.3. Strong negative correlations were observed between yield and quality parameters (r = -0.90 to -0.94, P<0.001), indicating a typical yield-quality trade-off in forage breeding. These results demonstrate substantial genetic variation among rescuegrass lines and identify Line 17 for high-yield breeding objectives and Line 13 for quality-focused programs adapted to mediterranean conditions. Future studies should focus on multi-location trials and molecular characterisation to develop improved rescuegrass cultivars for mediterranean conditions.

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