SEED YIELD OF MEADOW FESCUE (FESTUCA PRATENSIS HUDS.) IN NORWAY AND DENMARK : THE EFFECTS OF LOCATIONS, CULTIVARS AND AUTUMN MANAGEMENT

In order to determine genetic differences in seed yield potential, the optimal locations for seed production and optimal management after the first seed harvest, experiments with different timing of cutting and nitrogen application in autumn were conducted in three Scandinavian cultivars of meadow fescue (Saiten—origin 67° N, Fure—origin 61° N, and Senu Pajbjerg—origin 56° N) at the Norwegian locations Kvithamar (63.3° N), Staur (60.5° N), Landvik (58.2° N) and the Danish location Roskilde (55.4° N). The relative seed yields of ‘Saiten’, ‘Fure’ and ‘Senu Pajbjerg’ were 100, 171 and 175 on average for the first ley year, 100, 126 and 141 on average for the second ley year and 100, 115 and 116 on average for third ley year, respectively. A higher seed yield potential of the predominant Danish cultivar probably explains the commonly reported difference in seed yield between Norway and Denmark. Within Norway, seed yields normally decreased from south to north, with the lowest seed yields produced at Kvithamar...