Influence of cultivar and cultural practices on chemical composition of tall fescue turf

A field trial was carried out at the experimental farm of Padova University in order to evaluate the effect of cultivar and cultural practices (fertilization and mowing management) on some chemical characteristics of live tissues of tall fescue turf. At each season samples of verdure were taken after the cut and divided into live and dead parts to determine the dry weight of both components. Moreover, from live tissues was determined the content of: crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), NDF, ADF, ADL, ether extract (EE) and ash. Results showed that DM of vegetative tissues (g m(-2)) decreased during winter, while the DM of dead tissues reached the lowest values in spring. At the end of winter period (March), while the structural carbohydrates decreased the components of cell content (CP and EE) tended to increase. Treatment comparison showed a decrease of turf dead tissues in consequence of mowing height reduction as well as a depletion of wall cell components. Cultivar differences were limited to CP, cellulose, and CF content.