A comparison of yields from plots sown with a single species or a mixture of grass species.
Abstract
A triploid meadow fescue/perennial ryegrass hybrid and the 2 parent species were grown alone or in binary mixture and subjected to management for hay or for grazing for 3 consecutive years. In the 3rd year of the trial, particularly under grazing management, the yields from mixtures were higher than those from pure stands, probably because competition was more severe between plants of the same species than between plants of different species and of different growth habit. Reasons why mixtures do not normally outyield pure stands are discussed.