Study on the Productive Performance of Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. cv. Duerbote
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. cv. Duerbote was a new variety which was introduced and domesticated by Heilongjiang Institute of Animal Science from 1994 to 2008. The results from a 3-year study on its productive performance show that Duerbote was characteristic of drought-resistance, cold-resistance, strong adaptability, fast growth rate, good herbage quality, and high forage yield. Its hay yield was 4215.04 kg·hm~(-2) which was 28.8% higher thhan that of wild A. cristatum(3271.92 kg·hm~(-2)) and 11.7% higher than that of A. trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H. F. Lewis (3771.78 kg·hm~(-2)). Its seed yield was 576.29 kg·hm~(-2) which was 34.3% higher than that of wild A. cristatum (428.95 kg·hm~(-2)) and 3.4% higher than that of A. trachycaulum (557.07 kg·hm~(-2)). In summary, Duerbote could be a good variety choice for artificial grassland planting and natural grassland improvement in cold and arid areas.