INTRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, AND PERSISTENCE OF 5 GRASS SPECIES IN DRY HILL-COUNTRY .4. CARVOSSA, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW-ZEALAND

Three trials to evaluate new grass cultivars, were attempted on a north-facing aspect in North Canterbury, New Zealand, between late March 1980 and early May 1982. The difficulty of establishing new pastures in this steep dry hill country resulted in the failure of the first two trials. The third trial used spaced transplants to evaluate 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). and 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth). Wana was the most productive, Matua was intermediate, and Maru phalaris was the least productive. Survival was poor, however, and the role of new pastures in improving this extremely dry hill country must take second place to grazing management.