Evaluation location: Oklahoma, United States
Festuca arundinacea accessions were planted in the greenhouse in August, 1997 and subsequently transplanted to the field in mid-October, 1997. The field was located on The Noble Foundation Headquarters Farm in Ardmore, OK (34 09 N, 97 05 W); soil type was a Konsil loamy fine sand (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Ultic Paleustalfs). Plots consisted of a row of ten plants representing an accession; accessions were replicated twice where sufficient number of seedlings were available. Plants were spaced approximately 2 feet apart within a row, with approximately 2.5 feet between rows. The tall fescue planting consisted of approximately one acre and was part of an approximately 5 acre field. Plots were grazed by beef cattle from April 9 to April 23, 1998 to a stubble height of approximately 5 cm. Grazing continued periodically until June 5, 1998 so as to maintain stubble height at 5 cm. Dry and hot conditions induced dormancy from June until October, 1998. In November, 1998, surviving plants were assigned a vigor rating, with 1 being least vigorous, 9 being most vigorous.