The development of Pallaton Raphanobrassica for New Zealand farming systems

‘Pallaton’) is an allotetraploid, produced from kale(Brassica oleracea L.) x radish (Raphanus raphanistrumsubsp. sativus L.). It is a multi-graze forage, selected forhigh cumulative yield, water efficiency and resistanceto clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae). This paperdescribes the breeding, agronomy and nutritive valueof ‘Pallaton’, which can be grazed in situ between42 and 70 days after sowing (DAS) with no specificcrop maturity requirement. Cumulative yield of threeconsecutive harvests, analysed by meta-analysisof eighteen trials from 2013 to 2019 on three sites,showed ‘Pallaton’ had a greater yield of 16,254 kg DM/ha than forage rape (B. napus spp. biennis, cv. ‘Titan’)and leafy turnip (B. rapa; syn. B. campestris cv. ‘PasjaII’) at 12,639 and 10,965 kg DM/ha, respectively. Afurther trial, comparing nutritive values, demonstrated‘Pallaton’ has a similar profile to ‘Titan’. ‘Pallaton’ maybe rotationally grazed for up to twelve months wheninitially grazed by livestock at 350 - 400 mm plantheight between 42 and 70 DAS. Livestock consuming‘Pallaton’ are susceptible to the same potential animalhealth concerns as other Brassica species, but representsa forage option for sheep, beef, deer and dairy farming,particularly those in challenging environments.