Cultivation

Forage value of tall fescue

Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

Tall fescue is a valuable perennial forage crop characterized by high green mass yield, drought tolerance, and stand longevity of up to 12 years.

In the reference 171 varieties crop Tall fescue, where this is mentioned in the description.

Tall fescue is an upper-level loose-bunchgrass suitable for the production of green mass, hay, haylage, and silage. The crop is valued for its active regrowth and ability to remain vegetative until late autumn, maintaining productivity in field and meadow grass mixtures for 5–12 years.

The high forage productivity of the crop is ensured by a robust root system that allows it to outperform meadow fescue in yield under arid conditions. The plant is adapted to heavy clay, saline, and waterlogged soils and also possesses strong stems resistant to lodging.

The biochemical value of fescue depends on the growth stage and cultivation conditions. To improve palatability and energy content, breeding efforts are focused on creating varieties with soft leaves or festulolium-type plants, which also minimizes risks when using varieties that contain endophytes.

General information about the subject — on the page Forage purpose.

Sources8

Varieties of Tall fescue mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.