Biomass yield and quality parameters of selected ryegrass populations

Yield and quality parameters were assessed on genetically divergent ryegrass populations in a three year field-experiment. Ryegrass populations were obtained from expedition collections of indigenous ryegrass species form the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republic of Sprska). Following seed multiplication, seven ryegrass populations were selected in 2006 for further evaluation. Selected ryegrass populations were the following: Banja Luka, Kosjerovo, Laminci, Kobatovci, Kobas, Delibašino selo and Sarajevo. The experimental design followed was random in a continuous three-year experiment. Parameters of yield and quality were assessed during harvest: a) forage yield; b) dry matter; c) chemical composition of dry matter in the first harvest; d) crude protein yield. Based on the three-year study of green biomass and dry mass yield, by the yield height and stability, the population of Banja Luka stands out. In the first harvest of dry mass a highest raw proteins content and the lowest content of raw cellulose had the population Delibašino selo. The highest average raw proteins yield measured during these tests was achieved at a population Sarajevo.